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 investigates what we mean by leadership, recognising the importance of 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.
Former Future Leader Monique, a Black disabled woman, sits in her powerchair at a desk, smiling at the person sat next to her.
Coming soon - Future Leaders 2027
We will soon be seeking a new Future Leader to join us in 2027!
To stay up-to-date with when applications open, please sign up to our newsletter following the link below.
Our Future Leaders cohorts
Expand the sections below to learn more about our cohorts of Future Leaders, their roles and the projects they have worked on.
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.
Webinar Recording
Future Leaders - An Inclusive and Equitable Dance Sector
Drawing on our experience from the pilot of Stopgap's Future Leaders program, in this webinar, we discussed ways to elevate Deaf, Disabled, and neurodivergent voices, and transform organisations to foster inclusive leadership in dance.
Watch the webinar recording nowFuture Leaders 2025-26
In September of 2025, we were joined by our second cohort of Future Leaders! Kajsa Sundström and William Spencer joined us as Assistant Artistic Directors.
Kajsa has worked closely with Co-Artistic Director Laura Jones to support and take part in the delivery of our thriving Creative Learning programmes. Working closely with Artistic Director Lucy Bennett, Will has spent time supporting tours of Lived Fiction and RO-TES-រទេះ to observe Stopgap’s inclusive approaches to managing and collaborating with performers.
In February and March of 2026, the pair led an internal Future Leaders Lab where they shared their practice with the company and led an exchange which invited in external collaborators including Xan Dye and Gerald Curtis, Jannick Moth, and Edith WeUtonga from One World Orchestra.
Together, Kajsa and William are working towards an exciting project releasing in September 2026!
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.
Webinar - An Inclusive and Equitable Dance Sector
Drawing on our experience from the pilot of Stopgap's Future Leaders program, in this webinar, we discussed ways to elevate Deaf, Disabled, and neurodivergent voices, and transform organisations to foster inclusive leadership in dance.
Watch the webinar recording now
