A new UK scheme will support mid-career audio professionals facing barriers to progression across the industry.
The charity, Multitrack and sound specialists, In The Dark have launched the Audio Artist Pathway, a year-long development programme focused on experienced practitioners from underrepresented backgrounds.
Running from this September until September next year, the initiative will support six participants to develop original audio projects, which will be showcased at the XMTR Audio Arts Festival in St Leonards-on-Sea in 2027.
The programme is designed to address what organisers describe as a gap in support for mid-career professionals, following evidence of a drop-off in retention and progression within the sector.
Participants will receive a £3,000 stipend, alongside masterclasses with established audio artists, one-to-one mentoring, and peer support sessions.
They will also gain access to networks across the audio arts sector, including venues and funders, as well as training on securing grants.
Some elements, including masterclasses and a resource pack, will be made publicly available to extend access beyond the selected cohort.
The opportunity is open to UK-based audio practitioners with at least five years of professional experience, including those from backgrounds underrepresented in the industry, including disability, socioeconomic background and race.
Applications from those based outside London and in underserved regions are also encouraged.
The launch follows Multitrack’s decision to pause its entry-level Fellowship programme this year, after reviewing where it can have the most impact.
Recent data from Ofcom highlights ongoing structural inequalities in audio and broadcasting, with lower representation of disabled professionals and those from working-class backgrounds compared to national figures.
Organisers said: “We’re seeing a pattern where talented people enter the industry but don’t always stay.”
They added: “There is a clear need to support those who are already working in audio to sustain their careers, take creative risks, and move into more senior and experimental spaces.”
Applications open on 1 May and close on 31 May at midnight.
More details are available from multitrack.uk.
