The Australian Ballet has appointed award-winning queer-led education organisation Queer Town as its first official Impact Partner, launching a two-year collaboration to strengthen LGBTIQA+ inclusion across the national company and the wider arts sector.

The partnership aims to embed inclusive policies, training and leadership practices across all levels of the organisation, ensuring that LGBTIQA+ people are “safe, seen and genuinely valued” within the ballet’s workplaces and cultural spaces.

Since 2023, Queer Town has worked with The Australian Ballet on staff workshops, leadership consultations and advisory support for the 2024 world premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s Oscar in Melbourne. The two organisations also jointly marked Wear It Purple Day this year to celebrate inclusion.

Over the next two years, the partnership will expand to include a review of company policies, the rollout of Queer Town’s LGBTIQA+ 101 e-learning program to all staff, and Allyship in Action workshops designed to build inclusive practice on- and offstage.

The Australian Ballet’s Oscar. Photo © Christopher Rodgers-Wilson

Artistic Director David Hallberg said the partnership reflects the company’s responsibility as one of Australia’s leading cultural institutions to model meaningful inclusion.

“By partnering with Queer Town, we’re showing what’s possible for...