Updated 10/2025

Mänttä Music Festival’s Equality and Non-Discrimination Plan

1.⁠ Background and Objectives

In all its activities, the Mänttä Music Festival is committed to promoting gender equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion. The festival’s operations are based on the belief that art belongs to everyone and that a diverse arts scene strengthens creativity, artistic quality, and the well-being of the community.

The goal is to ensure that every employee, artist, volunteer, student, and audience member can work and participate in the festival safely and without fear of discrimination or inappropriate treatment.

The plan covers all areas of operation: administration, artistic work, human resources, education, audience engagement, and communications.

2.⁠ ⁠Principles

• No one shall be discriminated against on the basis of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national origin, language, religion, belief, disability, social status, or any other personal characteristic.
• Gender equality, equity, and diversity are taken into account in all decisions and processes.
• The work environment is maintained as a safe, respectful, and engaging place.
• Inappropriate behavior, harassment, or discrimination in any form is not tolerated.

3.⁠ ⁠⁠Administration and Decision-Making

The Board and Executive Director are responsible for ensuring equality and equity.

• The composition of the Board takes into account gender balance and multidisciplinary representation.
• Conflicts of interest and disqualifications are avoided in decision-making.
• Every new Board member and employee is introduced to the equality and non-discrimination plan as part of their orientation.

4.⁠ ⁠⁠Artistic Activities and Commissioned Compositions

The principles of equality and diversity extend to artistic programming policy.

• In commissioning compositions, the aim is to achieve a balance between genders and different artistic styles, as well as cultural and geographic diversity. 
• In the selection of artists, we strive for a balance between genders and different artistic schools, as well as cultural and geographic diversity.
• The festival actively seeks to showcase the diversity of piano art: different traditions and ideals of performance.

5.⁠ ⁠⁠Working Conditions, Compensation, and Employment

• The festival strives to always pay all artists and staff fees and salaries in accordance with industry recommendations.
• Special attention is paid to ensuring fair compensation for young artists.
• Working hours and workload are monitored, and the festival’s production team has established part-time resources to balance the workload.
• Orientation includes guidance on preventing and addressing inappropriate behavior.

6.⁠ ⁠⁠Safe Operating Environment

• The festival has written guidelines for preventing and addressing inappropriate behavior, harassment, and discrimination, which apply to all employees, artists, volunteers, and students.
• Everyone is briefed on the guidelines before the event.
• Inappropriate situations are handled confidentially and without delay.
• If necessary, the festival has a designated safety officer who can be contacted easily.

7.⁠ ⁠Communication and Accessibility

• The festival’s website and communications use language that is gender-neutral and respectful.
• Marketing and visual materials take into account people of different ages, backgrounds, and mobility levels.
• Concert venues and events are designed to be accessible, and discounted tickets are offered to students, the unemployed, and retirees.

8.⁠ ⁠⁠Monitoring and Evaluation

• The implementation of the plan is monitored annually at board meetings and through reports from the executive director.
• Reports of inappropriate behavior or discrimination are handled confidentially and reported anonymously to the Board.
• The plan is updated at least every other year or as needed in connection with changes in operations.

9.⁠ ⁠⁠Responsible Parties

The following individuals are responsible for equality and non-discrimination work:

• Executive Director – practical implementation and reporting to the Board
• Artistic Director – diversity in artistic choices and programming policy
• Board of Directors – monitoring, decision-making, and policy guidelines

10.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Summary

The Mänttä Music Festival is committed to promoting an inclusive, equitable, and safe organizational culture in which artistic quality and ethical responsibility go hand in hand. The goal is for everyone participating in the festival to be able to engage with and experience art in a safe, respectful, and diverse environment — regardless of status, background, or identity.