Seven performers in circus costumes. Central performer balances on ladder held horizontally. Empty wheelchair beneath.

Waldos Circus of Magic and Terror, Extraordinary Bodies

Photo: Photo by Paul Blakemore

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Disabled artists and companies awarded £700,000

Disabled arts commissioner Unlimited says funding awards will help showcase the 'vibrant spectrum of disabled artists across the UK'.

Mary Stone
2 min read

A total of 15 new artistic commissions worth £737,500 have been made to Unlimited disabled artists and companies.

Disabled arts commissioner Unlimited says 10 successful UK projects will receive £487,500 in grants ranging from  £15,000 to £80,000. Meanwhile five International Awards, made in partnership with British Council, will share £250,000 of funding.

Moire than 480 artists applied to part of the programme’s latest funding round. Jo Verrent, Director at Unlimited, said: “The applications this year were at an incredible standard, making choices very tough. 

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“As artists are at the centre of what we do and why we do it, we decided to stretch the original budget and award not 14, but 15 awards this year. 

“The world is hard at the moment for so many different reasons. It’s only right that any spare cash we can find within our funding goes to the people who need it most and who we’re here to support.”

The projects funded include a satirical performance interrogating the framing of trans rights as a debate, a live radio drama connecting disabled communities in Scotland and Nepal, and a British Sign Langauge piece inspired by Dungeons and Dragons.

"From diverse perspectives to boundless imaginations, these commissions showcase the vibrant spectrum of disabled artists across the UK today," said Isabella Tulloch Gallego, Programme Manager at Unlimited.

Pete Massey, Director of North Arts Council England, added, “We’re proud that Unlimited is one of our National Portfolio Organisations. The work that it does to provide disabled artists with opportunities to gain commissions is unparalleled, and it’s fantastic to see the number of artists who will benefit from 2024’s Open Awards.”

The UK Open Awards recipients are Aisha Mirza, Bea Webster and Ciaran Stewart, Farrell Cox, misery, Nadenh Poan, Nelly Kelly and Afton Moran, Sam Brewer (FlawBored), Sarah Ezekiel, Taking Flight Theatre Company, and Tink and Abra Flaherty.

Meanwhile, the International Open Awards are Birds of Paradise Theatre Company and Diverse Patterns, Byron Vincent and Elif Simge, Chisato Minamimura and Alice Hu, Extraordinary Bodies and Pamoja Dance Group, and F. Zeeshan Choudhury and Rasel Rana.