Sourcing Talent

10 Steps Businesses Can Take To Improve Diversity And Inclusion In The Workforce

A list of practical tips - from adjusting how you screen candidates, trying practical software programs that help combat bias, using clear and unambiguous inclusion statements in employee manuals and contracts, to updating your complaints system.

ReFrame Stamp Report on the Top Films of 2022

Annually, ReFrame (the gender equity coalition founded by the Sundance Institute and WIF), publishes a list in collaboration with IMDbPro that reveals which of the year’s top films earn the ReFrame Stamp: a mark of distinction for projects that demonstrate a commitment to gender-balanced hiring. This report found that Gender-Balanced Hiring in Film Plateaued in 2022.

Nautanki Theatre

Focusing on the South-Asian migrant community, Nautanki Theatre is a performing arts organisation based in Western Sydney aiming to create works truly representing contemporary Australia. It reaches more than 100,000 people every year through its programs.

AORTA - Anti-oppression Resource and Training Alliance - Resources

A selection of toolkits, handouts, guides, and other resources created by an American cooperative devoted to strengthening movements for social justice and solidarity economy through intersectional approaches to liberation. Covers transformative justice, racial justice, gender and anti-oppression among other topics.

Artistic Vibrancy

Subtitled 'A way for organisations to talk about artistic impact', this document outlines processes for gathering data and feedback on the artistic vibrancy of an organisation, along with case studies of arts organisations who've done this.

Suggested processes include alumni, artist and audience surveys, community consultation, benchmarking, guest artists interviews, peer review, annual strategic reviews, as well as numerical data such as artist and audience metrics (including items to track).

Arts and Culture Governance Spotlight Report

A report that provides an effective comparison and benchmark with other not-for-profit companies and organisations. 1,878 senior leaders in the not-for-profit sector were surveyed and results show board diversity figures and governance training.

Arts bodies threatened with funding cuts over lack of diversity

Arts Council England moves towards diversity targets tied to funding as 2020 diversity data shows little change.

"We need to be very clear: if organisations are not delivering, they could lose their funding. There has been a lot of development support for organisations to get to grips with the challenges. We are moving to a point where targets are going to be set and if organisations are not delivering or meeting targets there will be implications and repercussions.” - Abid Hussain

Ask the Mentor: How do I find and hire more diverse writers?

Article offering advice on finding diverse writers.

'I approached everyone in relation to their professional experience – which is what I wanted them to bring. What I did differently is that I actively searched beyond my usual networks.' - Casting producer Sancia Robinson

Australia's creative industry is shockingly white. But don't be discouraged

An astute analysis on the whiteness of arts leadership in Australia that provides recommendations on how to 'shift the balance'.

"Have hard conversations, set goals, take risks and appoint new gatekeepers...shifting this balance is well within your power – and the health of your industries depend on it."

Australia's Music Festival Diversity Problem By The Numbers & Some Steps To Improve It

This article calls out the 'top 5 cop-outs for booking a lineup that is not diverse' and has statistical information on the lack of diversity in music festivals - and by extension the music industry. It interviews women of colour and non-binary artists like the Papua New Guinea-born musician Ngaiire who tells us it's time to "look outside of what the 'industry gods' tell us what’s marketable".

BBC's Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-23

A recently published and comprehensive diversity inclusion plan from one of the world’s leading broadcasters, aiming to become the benchmark for the industry. The BBC outlines how they intend to improve diversity and inclusion after a review of their previous standards, and cover strategy for both on and off screen – and for company governance.

Best practice recruitment guide for creative leaders

A comprehensive toolkit exhibiting best practice for creative leaders to hire in a diverse manner. (Links directly to a PDF.)

Black Young Professionals Network

The Black Young Professionals network aims to amplify Black Talent globally, working with corporate partners to diversify acquisition pipelines and driving positive change across all industries.

CAAP Directors' Initiative

This initiative aims to unearth, nurture and develop Asian Australian directors for the stage. Includes a tailored 2 year training program for selected participants in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.

Commissioning for Diversity and Inclusion Guidelines — Screen Content

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s “Diversity and Inclusion Commissioning Guidelines – Screen Content” will require production companies to provide greater access and opportunity to under-represented people and perspectives – on and off screen – including gender diversity, Indigenous Australians, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people living with a disability and the LGBTQI+ community.

Commissioning New Adventures: Building an Inclusive Process

Blog describing the commissioning process designed to increase diversity of scriptwriters in new series of the popular ‘Zombies Run!’ exercise game, first using ‘blind’ anonymous read-throughs to shortlist, then assessing writer bios to ‘promote’ submissions from under-represented groups.

'In every case where we felt our shortlist was unbalanced, we promoted extra submissions rather eliminating others. We worked by addition rather than subtraction.'

Considering Co-Creation

A report commissioned by the Arts Council England that shares thoughts on principles, ethics, and references in the area of co-creation by two organisations that deal with socially engaged arts - and presents new ideas that challenge current paradigms of community arts. While it is not an exhaustive work, it features a literature review and a survey of 77 practitioners and contributors.

Supplementary materials such as podcasts and a survey analysis are included as part of this research.

Creative Majority: ‘What Works’ to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in the creative sector.

A report with case studies from Def Jam, Raising Films and NBC Universal. It recommends adopting a policy framework of the 'five As': Ambition, Allyship, Accessibility, Adaptability, and Accountability, as a continuum for ongoing appraisal and change.

The report can be used as a handbook for cultural and creative workers frustrated at the pace of change, and has potential application for other sectors, including higher education.

Creative Practitioners

Short film interviewing the eight UK and Australian practitioners in the INTERSECT peer mentorship, offering advice for institutions and artists of colour.

'While the programming of galleries, major art institutions supports diversity in terms of the art works and the artists that they programme, unfortunately behind the scenes it's very different. That type of diversity is not seen in staffrooms, in meeting rooms and in the board room.' Tian Zhang

Crewvie entertainment and production crew directory

Crewvie is a crew directory and global database-driven platform of verified entertainment and production professionals. Developed, curated, and wholly owned by an all-women team, it focuses on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Cultural Competence in Australia: A Guide

FECCA's guide to help organisations and individuals improve cultural competence and cultural safety, taking into account the varying needs of different groups that arise from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and exploring the landscape of training programs that can develop better systems, policies and processes in the workplace.

Engaged Communities

Infographic with top tips on engaging respectfully with communities, including outlining different types of community engagement (such as the difference between collaborations, co-creations and consultations) and tips on managing power, responsibility and the project's legacy.

Ethical Storytelling Podcasts

Selected podcasts from the Ethical Storytelling community on inclusive, human-centered storytelling and marketing in not-for-profit work. Featuring filmmakers, photographers and writers on their failures and lessons; as well as NGO practitioners and clients’ reflections on best practices and wrestling with power dynamics.

How to achieve a diverse candidate pool with inclusive job ads

To attract diverse candidates, a well-phrased job ad is a must. From a linguist's perspective, Kyle Snyder identifies 6 different types of inclusion to consider, with practical tips for each.

Hyphenated-Projects

Melbourne-based platform for artists with transcultural practices and a collective that presents, collaborates and develops new ideas. The collective was founded after presenting a survey exhibition of Asian-Australian artists in Victoria at The Substation titled Hyphenated (2018).

Inc Arts Unlock - Anti-racism toolkit

The Unlock toolkit is a free comprehensive resource aimed at arts organisations. It contains over 100 actions that will help creative workplaces become more inclusive, and focuses on hiring, leadership, work and care.

Inclusive Recruitment Checklist

A refugee inclusivity checklist. This Checklist is designed to help recruiters and employers address the barriers that refugees face when restarting their careers in the UK. It includes information and tips on advertising, interviewing and onboarding.

Inclusive Recruitment - Definition

Inclusive recruitment is the process of connecting with, interviewing, and hiring a diverse set of individuals through valuing different backgrounds and opinions. Full content is restricted to DCA members.

Inclusive Recruitment Guide: UK Theatre / Society of London Theatre

This downloadable guide will help you write a more inclusive job pack, remove bias from your selection processes, and decide where to post your job ads to reach a wider talent pool.

Informal Networks and Cultural Collaboration

In this short video, Natasha Ginwala emphasises the versatile benefits of reaching out to informal networks, especially for first-time art patrons. As case studies, she outlines two locally run art and culture events held in South Asia in the past.

'It's dangerous not to see race': is colour-blind casting all it's cracked up to be?

Casting actors regardless of their heritage may seem to allow for more diversity on screen and in theatre. However, a growing number of critics believe we should be considering race rather than ignoring it.

Jumbunna: Strong Voices Stronger Communities: First Nations media employment and skills development

This report outlines a suggested employment and skills strategy for Australia’s First Nations Broadcasting and Media Sector. It promotes the need for skills development through regular traineeships, fellowships, exchanges, as well as a focus on getting cultural safety right.

Kari Foundation: Indigenous Employment

KARI's established indigenous community network powers their effective employment and mentorship program. In partnership with the government, specialist KARI mentors build strong relationships with both line managers and employees in the workplace, ensuring long-term careers not just jobs. KARI is an indigenous-led organisation.

Letting the Movement Decide

A report evaluating FRIDA’s impact that documents a funding model designed to promote emerging leadership, respond to changing realities, offer transparency, shift philanthropic power dynamics, and function as a learning and knowledge development hub for broader feminist and philanthropic communities.

Looking beyond the horizon: How CIOs can embed DEI into succession planning

Guideposts and principles to help CIOs transform their succession-planning efforts to better prepare and promote a truly diverse slate of new leaders

'executives frequently struggle to pass the baton to diverse candidates: Companies often haven’t built diverse networks or recruited talent that more closely resembles a broader multidimensional workforce.'

More inclusive recruitment

A filmed event on Employability Day 2021 in the UK, at which employers, refugee professionals and sector partners share ideas and experiences about making recruitment processes more inclusive to refugees. A valuable and nuanced resource for leaders interested in diverse and inclusive employment and governance, with a focus on refugee professionals.

Navigating culture in the workplace with Professor Nareen Young

"Organisations don't do things because it's the nice thing to do...change happens when we put pressure on": In this episode of the Voices of Australia podcast, Professor Nareen Young discusses how Australian workplaces can become more diverse and inclusive. Nareen is Professor for Indigenous Policy and Indigenous Workforce Diversity at the Jumbunna Institute at the University of Technology Sydney.

No Straight Lines

An interactive online publication, guide and practical resource prepared by a world-leading participatory grantmaking and capacity-building fund to share recommendations and engage other INGOs and funders in dialogue on how to work with young feminist organisers for transformation.

Open Diversity Data

Links to published diversity data for a range of mostly tech-based organisations, including AirBnb, Facebook, Netflix and Twitter.

'Companies already collect data about their employee demographics. Let's ask them to publish it. Open diversity data will make it easier for everyone to better understand the diversity landscape and work toward solutions.'

Representation in video games starts offscreen

This article reports from the Games Connect Asia Pacific (GCAP) Conference 2021 which had the theme of 'Raising the Bar'. It summarises discussions from figures in the games industry including Javiera Cordero, Matiu Awarāwhiti, Phoebe Watson and more, touching on points of representation of trans people and First Nations people.

Rob Guest Endowment cancels lucrative theatre prize over diversity controversy

Article on the cancelling of a $50,000 endowment for Australian musical theatre in 2020 amid criticism of the lack of racial diversity among the 30 semifinalists, including from the semifinalists themselves.

The semifinalists said "We fervently denounce the actions of the endowment, including but not limited to silencing POC and First Nations voices, misrepresenting us and our stance on the matter, and the lack of transparency that has occurred from within the endowment.”

Screen Tasmania's Diversity Project

The Diversity Project connects First Nations, racially marginalised, disability and migrant community groups with the aim of creating an increased pool of diverse talent for casting. It provides free, comprehensive training in “acting for the screen” for participants from age 10 to adult.

The project allocated time and resources to finding the right grassroots organisations to partner with, creating a safe environment and bringing in well-connected allies to create career pathways.

Screenskills Mentoring Programme: Become a Mentor

The ScreenSkills Mentoring Programme runs across the screen industries in the UK; mentoring is regarded as a two-way confidential partnership of development, dialogue, learning and challenge. The typical commitment is six hours over six months. Tailored to the screen industries.

Statement: The Black Writers' Guild

A powerful letter from UK Black authors to the publishing industry requesting action to tackle the deep-rooted racial inequalities in the major corporate publishing companies. They put forward on eight key steps for the industry to adopt.

Talent Directory, Australian Theatre: Contemporary Asian Australian Performance

CAAP aim to improve cultural diversity in Australian theatre, both on stage and at all levels of the industry. Access their directory of actors, agents, designers, comedians, dancers and other roles here.

The Benefits of Mentorship

Article advocating the benefits of mentorship for both parties and business as a whole.

Mentorship is most successful when it is treated as an opportunity for two-way learning, and when there is buy-in across the business, from the top down.

The Blueprint for Muslim Inclusion: Recommendations for Film Industry Professionals

A broad set of recommendations for film industry professionals. Includes sector-based guidance, solutions, examples of production companies and studios; agencies; festivals; film and drama schools.

The diversity panel to end all diversity panels: It's Not A Race

Podcast: A live panel discussion with Beverley Wang, Paola Balla, Santilla Chingaipe and Benjamin Law on the double-edged sword of standing in for 'diversity' and where they would like to see the conversation progress.

The Equity Lab

An American leader in disrupting racial and ethnic inequity by engaging organisations in issues of race, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Offer trainings, deep engagement and fellowship programs - The Nexus Fellowship and Seeding Disruption - through honest guidance and partnership.

The Essential Guide to Data-Driven DEI Transformation

The ebook shares 5 key shifts every DEI leader must make to succeed in 2023, and beyond. It's the perfect resource for anyone who wants to make a positive change.

You will learn:
How to embed DEI as a central business function
How to set more effective DEI goals that sustain progress
How to embed a data-driven approach into your DEI strategy
How to analyse your processes for bias with intersectional measurement

The Evolution of Executive Transition and Allied Practices

An essay that outlines evolutions in executive transition management for the American not-for-profit sector, identifies challenges requiring attention - including expanding leadership diversity and the overdependence on “heroic” leaders, and offers guidance for board leaders, executives, funders, and consultants.

The Guardian view on colour-conscious casting: mixing it up can be a good thing

An article looking at David Oyewolo's casting in the BBC adaptation of the novel Les Miserables. This approach goes beyond “colour-blind” casting, with directors "making a deliberate choice to ditch the naturalism that underlies most casting decisions."

The sorry part is easy – why true racial diversity in the arts will take more than words

'Because the arts scene is often based on unspoken rules, networking and gatekeeping, there are generally no channels for complaint if you are typecast or overlooked as “inexperienced” based on race.'

The Visibility Report: Racial Representation on NYC Stages 2018-19

Fascinating and detailed report using representation data covering the theatre professions (including writers) in NYC. It covers representation of all cultural groups and includes numerous charts visualising the data.

‘There are no more excuses’: six industry insiders on Australian TV's problem with race

Creatives of colour discuss issues in the Australian screen industry.

Benjamin Law: 'On The Family Law, the team demonstrated that when gatekeepers make the excuse, “Oh, there aren’t enough actors of a certain background” – that’s bullshit. You just haven’t made the effort to find them. Yes, it’s harder than just calling up the same Caucasian faces that you already know. Taking the time is the only way you’re going to do it.'

Toks Dada (classical music programmer, curator and producer) on governance

Toks Dada discusses the biggest governance challenges and opportunities as the sector responds to COVID-19 and the #BlackLivesMatter Movement, his experiences, and the challenges he's facing right now, and advice on how to do it better.

Transforming lives by turning trash into treasure

AfriCraft is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization which creates unique handmade, upcycled products from recycled waste materials to generate employment opportunities and income for its employees as well as support various community initiatives through the AfriCraft NGO for Tanzania’s less fortunate communities.

Anti-Racism Touring Rider and Toolkit

The Anti-Racism Touring Rider and Toolkit is a resource co-ordinated by a group of 15 national touring theatre companies in the UK.

It offers a series of actions for anti-racist practice, giving a framework to establish the baseline of expectations and support between stakeholders on a touring production.

UK Music Diversity Taskforce - Ten-Point Plan

Delivered by the Music Diversity Taskforce, this Ten-Point Plan aligns evidence and metrics to strategic actions to help increase diversity and boost inclusion at the trade bodies that represent the majority of the UK music industry — covering governance, policy and board strategy.

Utilizing the Arts to Support Racial Justice

One of the United States' leading audience development strategists Donna Walker-Khune in conversation with Michelle Taylor the founder of the artist management company, Passion Music Group.

This inspiring conversation has a lot of educational resources and traces the history and background of The Blacksmiths, a creative coalition committed to using the arts to support racial justice movements and engaging with people of colour and the broader community in the Black Lives Matter movement.

When Should You Work For Free? (An Artist's Perspective)

A cogent article that is broadly applicable about paying artists for their work, and presents a compelling argument for why artists shouldn't work for free - and how unpaid labour feeds into deeper issues of inequity and exploitation.

White, female, and high rates of mental illness: Australian publishing industry diversity survey

This article provides a snapshot summary of a recent survey done on the Australian publishing industry, following similar studies in the UK and USA.

Published on 31 August 2022, and featuring survey data from 989 respondents, the report contains demographic data on the makeup of the Australian publishing workforce. At time of publication, the industry has much work to do in reflecting Australia’s cultural and social diversity in its workforce.

Whitewashed: why does Australian TV have such a problem with race?

Discussion of representation in Australian TV, from the awful stereotypes of the 90s, like Neighbours' first non-white family, the Lims, being accused of eating a dog, to shows that got it right, such as Gary Foley on A Country Practice.

'Crucially, Foley says, he was allowed to write his character himself. “[Creator] Jim Davern rung me up and asked me if I was interested,” Foley told Guardian Australia. “I said I was only interested if I could write my own character and my own dialogue.”'

Why and how to achieve diversity on your board

An article about how to evolve your board into a more inclusive, responsive and representative body, and the steps your organisation could take to reach that goal.

Why So Many Organizations Stay White

Assuming that discrimination is a rare or exceptional event may hinder attempts to decrease racial inequality.

This article discusses what can be done to break patterns of organisational segregation and unequal distribution of resources.

Why You Need a Supplier Diversity Program

Harvard Business Review outline the work done by Coca Cola and UPS to set up a supplier diversity program. What supplier diversity means and the commercial benefits of adopting supplier diversity are also explained.

Will we get there hire by hire? Reflections on executive leadership and transition data over 15 years

This report reflects on four studies of not-for-profit executive leadership in 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2015 in America. It reveals minimal change in leadership demographics and dynamics, raising concern about whether the sector is intentional enough in aligning leadership aspirations with reality.

Women of Color unite #StartWith8Hollywood

Be inspired by the #StartWith8 initiative that connected nearly 300 Women of Color working in the entertainment industry, at different stages of their careers, to established industry mentors in its first phase. UK and Canada editions have opened in 2021, and 1900 matches have been made worldwide. Follow the links to become a mentor or mentee.

Racism it Stops With Me: Workplace Cultural Diversity Tool

Informed by research, consultations and international best practice, this tool supports work to promote cultural diversity and challenge racism in the workplace.

It's designed to be completed by staff members with oversight and/or awareness of organisational planning, policies, recruitment and retention. It contains a self-assessment and ten 'good practice areas' (including: acknowledging First Nations sovereignty, organisational learning, leadership, and hiring)

'Write Now' made me an author

Rashmi Sirdeshpande describes how Penguin Pubishing's 'Write Now' program for underrepresented communities made her a successful, published author.

You can't be what you can't see: recruiting young Indigenous Australians straight out of high school

Indigenous Australians are now far more likely to succeed at school, but rarely attend University due to embedded cultural and economic factors. David Mallett explains why employers should not focus solely on graduate hiring so that they can open doors to Indigenous young people, level the playing field, and ultimately, benefit their own bottom line.