Help Musicians and Musicians’ Union launch nationwide census

Help Musicians and the Musicians’ Union (MU) have today launched a new nationwide census of the UK’s music-making population. The Musicians’ Census invites responses from anyone who earns an income from music or plans to earn an income from music in future to contribute to the first ever comprehensive picture of music in the UK.

The project aims to map the total population of musicians in the UK and help create an in-depth understanding of their careers and lives. Project insights will be accessible to all musicians as well as to partner charities and music industry bodies and the project will be repeated every three to five years to track changes in the musicians’ community over time.

The MU’s general secretary, Naomi Pohl, said: ‘Without quality data and representative insights, it’s difficult to understand what today’s musicians really need and how we can help… We appreciate that the UK’s musicians are regularly asked to complete surveys by a number of organisations, particularly since the beginning of the pandemic. However, to enable us to make real positive change, we to hear what you want and how you feel.’

The census form will take minutes to complete, and will gather data on demography, diversity, health and wellbeing, working patterns and income. You can find out more about the Musicians’ Census including how to take part here.

Black Lives in Music chief executive Charisse Beaumont is one of the many music sector voices encouraging musicians to take part. She said: ‘I'm encouraged that Help Musicians and The Musicians’ Union are conducting the Musicians’ Census. Now there can be acknowledgement of the experiences of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse musicians and organisations can work to help meet their needs. Never has there been a more crucial time to truly help all musicians working in the music industry.’