Intersectional inequalities in cultural occupations: the case of women in jazz

The purpose of this research sits in the attempt to disentangle some of the concurrent factors of intersectional inequalities within the cultural labour market as key factors in shaping (or precluding) job opportunities. The intersection of gender and social class is, therefore, the focus of this analysis, with particular attention posed on the latter as a less studied argument in the Italian landscape. Their role in informing personal and professional choices is tested through the analysis of the case of Italian women in jazz. A set of ten semi-structured interviews with female artists is thus conducted to gather insights on experiences, perceptions, structural entry barriers and dynamics about potential class-based and gender-based forms of marginalisation within cultural careers. These qualitative results are then confronted with a deeper examination of the socio-cultural context of the Italian labour market, policies and educational offerings with the aim of providing a more thorough and critical overview of the current degree of occupational accessibility for aspiring Italian jazz artists.