Ways to achieve greater diversity in London’s arts

ALEX Kingston [February 27] is right that there should be greater diversity in the theatre, but we should also aim for greater diversity in London’s thriving arts, fashion, film and music scene too.

BAME workers make up just 23 per cent of the capital’s creative sector, despite representing 40 per cent of London’s population. This underrepresentation — which extends to social class — is felt even more acutely at the top, with a strong glassceiling effect for both women and people from BAME groups.

As Kingston says, the Young Vic and other theatres, such as the Roundhouse, are making strides to diversify their workforce. But more needs to be done.

“Culture Club”, a new report by Centre for London, argues that London’s creative and cultural employers should do more to help the next generation of artists, producers and photographers. They should ensure that young people of all backgrounds get a shot at working in an industry where connections, class and cultural reference points can still count for as much as raw talent.

Dear Richard

YOU are right to say it is not just London’s theatres that need to do more about diversity. Our creative industries are booming, with the latest figures showing that 24 per cent more jobs were created in the sector in just four years — which makes the lack of diversity even more glaring.

What can be done to correct it? Money always helps. Paid internships would benefit youngsters who can’t rely on parental subsidies. But there are other less obvious barriers to

Employers can start by offering the London Living Wage to interns, amending recruitment practices to focus on talent rather than academic achievement, and creating a London-wide mentoring entry as well and the old adage that it is not what you know but who you know still has a ring of truth about it.

Perhaps policy makers can learn from the charity Arts Emergency, which teams up volunteers who work in the arts with youngsters trying to get a break. They offer everything from work experience to academic help in a bid to create what they describe as “an alternative old boy network”. With more volunteers and more funding that is an idea that could make a real difference.

Robert

programme to broaden access.

Failing to make the most of London’s diverse talent will weaken one of its most successful sectors. Richard Brown

Centre for London