From September 1st to 10th, music producers from Australia, Argentina, Wales and Canada will meet in person in Montreal and Toronto for an inspiring week of knowledge sharing and networking activities. Working together, they will explore new avenues to further their careers.
“Supporting and empowering amazing professionals, creating opportunities for discussion and collaboration, and making connections for women and non-binary producers is at the heart of the Global Network. During our week together in Toronto and Montreal in September, we will continue to build on what we started just over two years ago, welcoming producers from Estonia, Wales, Argentina, and Australia – I can’t wait!”
Heather Gibson, Executive Producer, Popular Music & Variety Programming
The Global Network for Women Music Producers, also known as the Producers Program, is an initiative that supports women and non-binary music producers and helps right the gender imbalance in their field. Founded by Heather Gibson, Executive Producer, Popular Music and Variety at Canada’s National Arts Centre, and designed in consultation with partners from around the world, the program aims to overcome barriers in the music industry, and provide opportunities for support, discussion, networking and collaboration. The program also serves as a resource for musicians and record labels who are looking to work with women producers.
The Producers Program brings together 33 music producers from diverse parts of the world, from award-winning professionals to a new generation of producers. Comprising engineers, songwriters, film music composers, recording music producers, and artists, this dynamic group spans a wide array of styles, from jazz, pop, and hip hop to ambient and experimental music. These women take the lead in their projects, making independent decisions, owning their endeavors, and contributing as composers, writers, and producers. The Producers Program strives to make their contributions visible and tell their stories.
The Producers Program was initiated in December 2020, and it kicked off with monthly Zoom meetings and knowledge-sharing sessions among the producers within the group. Subsequently, the program established an Instagram account to showcase individual profiles, conduct interviews, and daily promote their work. In August 2022, all of the producers gathered in person for the very first time in Stockholm. This gathering provided a unique opportunity for them to get to know each other and connect with key individuals in the industry, a feat that might have been difficult to achieve individually.
The vision of this program stands out because, as women, we often find ourselves accustomed to working in isolation, handling everything on our own, and constantly striving to prove our worth while struggling to be heard and find our place.
The Global Network for Women Music Producers is a partnership with Sounds Australia, Music Estonia, MTA Productions (Sweden), Elen Elis (Wales), and producer liaison Belen Fasulis Aramburú (Argentina). Special acknowledgement goes to the Adrian Burns Fund for Women Leaders in the Performing Arts.
