The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) is offering two free virtual workshops next week to help promote safety in the music industry. Held on March 28 and 29, the Safer Spaces Training Sessions are a response to harassment in the live music community. 

“The last three years have created the opportunity to address some of our greatest challenges and to work together to emerge from this time in history stronger and healthier,” says Erin Benjamin, CLMA’s President & CEO, in a statement. “Status quo is not an option. The live music industry we envision for the future is a more inclusive, respectful, and safer place. It must be. This training is for all of us as we strive to do better. The CLMA, with thanks to FACTOR, is proud to be able to provide these sessions at no cost to participants to underscore how imperative change is.”

According to the CLMA, nearly half of the musicians it surveyed have experienced harassment in the workplace, with the vast majority not reporting incidents due to the industry’s culture. 

The first session, Bystander Intervention Training, taking place on March 28, will provide participants (particularly venue staff, live music workers, and artists) with tools to safely intervene when witnessing harassment. The session is facilitated by Right to Be’s Dax Valdes. 

Civility & Respect in the Workplace, running on March 29, addresses the importance of supporting mental health and wellness in creating safe work environments. MyWorkplaceHealth facilitator Patricia Ruiz will discuss how to recognize and diminish bias, factors that contribute to a respectful environment in the live entertainment industry, and communication strategies.  

The training sessions are free to all artists and those who work in the live entertainment industry. Registration for Bystander Intervention Training and Civility & Respect in the Workplace is open now.