Permission to Play factsheet

Time and time again since YSWN started we’ve seen the amazing things that can result when women and people of minority genders have the chance to explore music technology on their own terms. Building confidence and skills, meeting people and making connections, taking risks and trying new things without fear: all are at the core of what we do.

Our Permission to Play project was designed to provide just these kinds of opportunities. With funding support from Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s Arts Access and Participation Fund, we unlocked potential for women and people of minority genders across the North of England to grow their music technology skills and audio creativity through a range of activities and events.

A major part of Permission to Play took place in partnership with YSWN’s network of affiliated regional groups – the grassroots collectives formed to skill-share, socialise and build a sense of community. During the course of the project we helped strengthen existing collectives and supported the founding of new groups.

We learned a lot from the project about the ingredients needed to successfully support women and people of minority genders’ involvement with music technology. Now that the project has concluded, we’re sharing some useful tips for those looking to start their own feminist sound collective in our factsheet Permission to Play: How feminist sound collectives can support women and people of minority genders’ participation in sound and music technology.