Ramps on the Moon secures fresh funding to normalise inclusion in theatre

24 Jan 2018 Press Release

New Wolsey Theatre, the lead organisation behind Ramps on the Moon, is one of nine arts organisations to receive funding today (24 January), as the Arts Council announces the successful applicants to Round 34 of its National Lottery funded Strategic Touring Programme.

New Wolsey Theatre will receive £2.1 million to ensure it can continue to overcome the barriers Deaf and disabled people face when engaging with theatre.

Ramps on the Moon
With the support of £2.1million from the Arts Council, The New Wolsey Theatre and partners will continue their important work to transform mid-large scale mainstream touring theatre and break down barriers to participation. Ramps on the Moon is normalising the inclusion and contribution of D/deaf and disabled people in our theatres. This latest funding will support years four, five and six of the Ramps on the Moon project. It will enable the seven partners to bring about lasting change by continuing the strong, collaborative touring circuit that engages more D/deaf & disabled audiences and participants.

Hedley Swain, Area Director, South East, Arts Council England, said: “We’re delighted to continue our support for Ramps on the Moon. In just three years, the project has illustrated what can be achieved when we proactively get out there and make change happen. To date the project has produced fantastic, high-quality mid-scale theatre and, because the project champions integrated casts, it resonates with audiences and gives people the chance to see a ‘reflection’ of themselves on stage.

“But Ramps on the Moon is about more than that, it is about wholesale change. Yes, it is about attracting and inspiring new audiences. But it is also about creating new career pathways for Deaf and disabled actors, directors and back-stage staff – making sure the opportunities are there for them to realise their ambitions and to break down barriers.”

Sarah Holmes, Chief Executive at the New Wolsey Theatre, and Michele Taylor, Director for Change at Ramps on the Moon, said: “We are delighted that Arts Council England is continuing to invest in Ramps on the Moon following our achievements to date. This funding will allow us to consolidate and take further our mission to embody the Creative Case for Diversity and achieve a sea change in our industry.”

This round has seen the allocated Artsmark funding provide a cultural boost for children in areas of low engagement, and it has also seen a range of projects that strongly demonstrate the Creative Case for Diversity and work produced for diverse audiences.

The Strategic Touring Programme aims to give people better access to quality work in a range of venues to reach more people across the country, targeting places with low levels of art engagement and those that rely on touring for arts and culture. It welcomes applications for a wide range of arts on tour including, in particular, mid-scale theatre, inbound international work, and more work by and for people from diverse backgrounds.

Please note that the final round (Round 35) of Strategic Touring has an application deadline of this Friday (26 January), after which touring applications will be accessible through Project Grants.

Information about the programme and the final application deadline can be found here: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/strategic-touring#section-1