Action Program Published to Promote Jazz Music Accessibility in Finland
One of the primary objectives of the Finnish Jazz Federation’s 2021–2026 strategic period is to significantly increase the accessibility of jazz music. To promote accessibility based on up-to-date information and to focus efforts on areas where the most pressing needs exist, the Jazz Federation commissioned a study titled Jazzmusiikin saavutettavuuden nykytila Suomessa (“The Current State of Jazz Music Accessibility in Finland“) (2022). Based on this study, the association has developed an accessibility action plan for 2024–2026.
Accessibility aims to address the diversity of the population and to increase the participation of various groups in a given service or content, with the ultimate goal of promoting equality. In this action plan, accessibility is treated as an overarching concept, as defined by the Culture for All service. This definition encompasses several dimensions: physical accessibility of the built environment, regional availability, accessible communication, pricing, social accessibility, sensory accessibility, support for understanding, as well as strategies and plans.
The Finnish Jazz Association’s measures to improve accessibility in jazz are based on needs identified in the “The Current State of Jazz Music Accessibility in Finland” study. The two most critical areas highlighted were increasing resources and enhancing knowledge and skills. The actions in the program are divided under these two themes. Actions aimed at increasing resources include: (1) The Jazz Federation will actively seek project funding together with its members to develop audience engagement efforts during the association’s nationwide concert tours and (2) The Jazz Federation will actively inform its members about grants and ongoing projects related to promoting accessibility. Actions aimed at enhancing knowledge and skills include: (1) The Jazz Federation will actively participate in discussions, training sessions, and networks related to accessibility and (2) Accessibility will be a regular topic in events organized by the association.
In addition to the measures carried out by the Finnish Jazz Federation itself, the program includes actions targeted at its member organizations. These measures aim to enhance jazz accessibility locally, regionally, and nationally. Although the measures are designed for the association’s members, they are suitable for any organization involved in organizing jazz concerts. The Jazz Association hopes the list of actions will inspire the entire Finnish jazz sector to promote accessibility.