Ramps On The Moon announce 18 arts organisations as Change Partners

With funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Ramps On The Moon is delighted to continue their work of supporting anti-ableist practice within the performing arts sector, with the first round of organisations announced as part of their Change Partner programme.

Partnering with People Make It Work and with the support of their key partner, Sheffield Theatres, over the next 12 months Ramps On The Moon will work with 18 arts organisations to support them to develop anti-ableism and embed it further into their practices. Their vision is for mainstream cultural change across the sector where disabled people can develop, learn, work and tell their stories.

Michèle Taylor, MBE, Director for Change, Ramps on the Moon said:

“I am excited to work with our cohort organisations. They have all demonstrated that they are committed to the work we’re embarking on together and to sharing their existing expertise as well as their learning. I can’t wait to see where they each are in 12 months - and the impact this has on our sector.”

The 18 Change Partners are Blackpool Grand Theatre, City of London Sinfonia, English Touring Theatre, Exeter Northcott, HighTide, Hull Truck Theatre, Les Enfants Terribles, Mayflower Theatre and MAST Mayflower Studios, National Youth Theatre, New Perspectives Theatre Company, Northern Opera Group, Norwich Theatre, One Dance UK, Production Exchange, Reading Rep, Royal Opera House, Royal Shakespeare Company and Unicorn Theatre.

Tom Bird, Chief Executive of Sheffield Theatres said:

“We’re delighted to further our relationship with Ramps on the Moon as hosts and key partners for the fantastic work they have done and continue to do in the theatre industry. Their invaluable knowledge and exciting ideas have enriched the work of many performing arts organisations already, so we are excited to bolster the next stage of their vital work and push forward in our own anti-ableist practises.”

Ramps on the Moon is delivering a NEW programme co-designed and co-created with the sector. Designed to provide sustained and immersive support for performing arts and cultural organisations across the UK. With 12 months of intensive learning, workshops, mentoring, action learning, tools, resources and personal development, the Ramps change programme enables organisations to re-model, re-shape, realign, refocus and reimagine their futures with a focus on embedded anti-ableism. This programme is for organisations who are hungry to lead the sector to become more equitable, innovative, relevant, ambitious, creative and socially just.

Rowan Rutter, City of London Sinfonia said:

“Being part of this cohort marks a step-change for CLS. It’s not a one-off project, it’s a commitment to learning, change, challenge, transparency and collaboration. I didn’t wait for us to be invited in, I asked if we could join, because it felt too important an opportunity for us to miss.”

As a Change Partner, these organisations are committed to development, by broadening and deepening their commitment to change, so that disabled people are an integral part of the organisation.  

To find out more about the next round of partners and the next steps for Ramps On The Moon, head to the website here.