A review into the arts sector in Greater Manchester has concluded that Working class people are struggling to break into the arts world, leaving the sector dominated by the middle class and London
The report led by the chancellor of the University of Manchester, Nazir Afzal says that the rungs of the ladder that led to stardom for those in the region such as Oasis’ Gallagher brothers, comics Peter Kay and Caroline Aherne or poet John Cooper Clarke, are no longer there
“Entry routes still depend on who you know. Early roles still pay too little to live on.” said the report adding that there
“Progression still favours those who can absorb risk. Many people leave before their careers begin.”
Less than half of creatives surveyed said they earned enough to make a living, with many requiring second jobs; 51% of respondents said they had experienced bullying, harassment or bias based on their social class; just 18% of respondents said they saw their lived experiences widely represented in the art form they practice and only 22% said they personally knew anyone working in the arts when they were growing up.
Featuring over 150 hours of interviews with artists ranging from teenage musicians and mid-career arts workers to globally recognised playwrights and BAFTA and Emmy winning screenwriters, the Inquiry found anger, despair and seeds of hope in the voices they heard.
Co-Chair Nazir Afzal OBE, who is also the Chair of the Lowry theatre, said this was an opportunity for Greater Manchester to lead the way on a national challenge and build a better sector “where talent is discovered everywhere, nurtured properly, paid fairly and allowed to rise.”
Among the Inquiry’s 21 recommendations are measures to include class as a protected characteristic, the appointment of a Class Champion, a drive to increase apprenticeships, measures to decasualise labour and a co-ordinating body led by the GMCA to marshal resources, spot gaps and join up best practice.
Although the Equality Act does not recognise class as a protected characteristic, Afzal said that Manchester should look to unilaterally recognise people from working class backgrounds as having protected characteristics. “As a former prosecutor, I have seen our region do this before,” he said. “When Sophie Lancaster was killed, Greater Manchester Police broke new ground by offering people from alternative sub-cultures hate crime protection – and other police forces eventually followed suit. This was the right thing to do and we need to be equally bold. Because we are not going to break down barriers that are crushing creativity until we build an arts sector that treats class as a core inclusion issue.”
But as well as highlighting structural failings, the Inquiry also shines a light on many changemakers who are working hard to widen participation and make a difference. Co-chair Avis Gilmore said she was particularly inspired by institutions like the Co-op stepping up on the back of the report to campaign for more apprenticeships. “I’m thrilled that the Co-op has agreed to lead a campaign to significantly boost creative apprenticeships in our region,” she said.
Claire Costello, Chief People and Inclusion Officer at Co-op explained: “Our Co-op believes everyone, whatever their background, should be able to access opportunities in the arts and creative sector throughout Greater Manchester. Apprenticeships can provide a ‘stepping stone’ for future careers, that’s why Co-op is encouraging Greater Manchester employers to share unspent apprenticeship levy funds to raise £3 million over 3 years to support 200 new apprenticeships in the arts and creative sector throughout Greater Manchester.”
