We are disappointed to share that our NPO application was unsuccessful, which means our current Arts Council England funding will come to an end in April 2023.

We want to thank ACE for their support over the past 4 years, as well as every partner theatre, freelancer, director and theatre maker that has taken part in our programmes.

Joining the portfolio in 2018 enabled us to plan with certainty for the first time, it meant ACE investment met the bold long-term investment made by our trust and foundation supporters. It also allowed us to be there to support people through COVID.

We have proved for more than 60 years that our work is important in developing regional talent and providing pathways into the industry, especially today for artists who are under-represented and continue to be marginalised.

We continue to be thrilled to see RTYDS alumni realising their potential as leaders from Natalie Ibu to Matthew Xia, Nickie Miles-Wildin, Daniel Bailey to Corey Campbell, and so many more.

Right now, we will take some time to consider our future, the £185k gap in our annual budget that underwrites our work, and what our best contribution can be to a rapidly changing and challenging landscape in our industry.

We will be talking to ACE and our other supporters about this. But our purpose and strength has always come from artists and theatres we serve, and we would value your thoughts on the best ways for us to champion regional artists and those who continue to experience barriers in theatre in the future.

You can contact us on rtyds@rtyds.co.uk.

Meanwhile, good luck to those who carry on working in the portfolio, congratulations to those joining for the first time and solidarity to all the organisations who have found themselves in a similar position.

Sue, Sarah, Anthony & Manli
RTYDS Team