At Stopgap, we believe the next generation of Disabled leaders needs the opportunity, support, and space to thrive. That’s why we’ve created the Future Leaders Programme – a unique, paid initiative designed for Deaf, Disabled, and neurodivergent mid-career arts professionals.
This programme isn’t just about leadership; it’s about collaboration, experimentation, and growth. Future Leaders will work alongside a diverse range of people, gaining fresh perspectives while exploring their leadership potential in a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. With guidance from an experienced and supportive mentor, they’ll be fully immersed in Stopgap’s activities – developing the skills, confidence, and connections needed to drive real change in the arts.
Chris Pavia, a white man with Down syndrome, reads from a document.
Future Leaders 2024-25
In January of 2024, we were joined by our first cohort of Future Leaders! Annie-Rose Grantham joined us as Assistant Producer and General Manager, and Monique Dior Jarrett joined us as Assistant Artistic Director.
Working across a variety of projects, Annie-Rose was instrumental in supporting the project management our 2024 tour of outdoor work Frock. As a performer in Lived Fiction, Monique worked closely with Artistic Director Lucy Bennett to observe Lucy’s approach to managing and collaborating with performers. Together, Annie-Rose and Monique collaborated on Fierce Grace, a dance film which will premiere as part of their final project with Stopgap – a webinar exploring how we can increase the number of Deaf, Disabled, and neurodivergent leaders in the dance industry. Find out more by following the link below.
Coming soon - Webinar Recording
Future Leaders - An Inclusive and Equitable Dance Sector
Drawing on our experience from the pilot of Stopgap's Future Leaders program, we'll discuss ways to elevate Deaf, Disabled, and neurodivergent voices, and transform organisations to foster inclusive leadership in dance.
Find out more about the eventApplications are Open
We are currently recruiting for two new Future Leaders to join us from September 2025.
Why we created Future Leaders
Right now, Disabled people remain severely underrepresented in the arts. In 2019/20, the Diversity Data Report of Arts Council England revealed that disabled people made up just 5% of the workforce of core funded Dance organisations, the lowest percentage against all other art forms.
If we look at Disabled leadership more broadly within the cultural sector, less than 2% of National Portfolio investment by value is given to disabled-led organisations, highlighting a significant gap in decision-making roles. Despite nearly 1 in 4 working-age adults in the UK identifying as Disabled, representation at leadership levels remains alarmingly low. Through the Future Leaders Programme, we are committed to bridging this gap – ensuring that Disabled voices are not just heard but actively shaping the future of the arts.
We want to equip Disabled leaders with the tools, networks, and confidence to take on decision-making roles across the industry, ensuring a more diverse and representative future for the arts. The relationships and inclusive working methods they develop during their time with the company, alongside their ability to self-advocate and their visibility within the industry, will provide a strong foundation that underpins their career as a Disabled leader in the arts.
