Arts Council England
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London 2012 Cultural Olympiad launches Unlimited, the UK’s largest programme celebrating arts, culture and sport by disabled and Deaf people
Unlimited, the UK’s largest arts and disability programme was today launched by London 2012 as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. The programme is the result of a three year consultation process across the disability, arts and disability sports sectors.
The total project fund of £3m, provided principally by the Olympic Lottery Distributor using National Lottery funds, with additional funding and delivery by Arts Council England, the British Council, the Scottish Arts Council, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and London 2012, will celebrate disability, arts, culture and sport on an unprecedented scale.
The programme has four pillars:
- Unlimited Commissions: a £1.5million commission fund to support the production of quality work by disabled and Deaf artists, and disabled and Deaf led arts organisations
- Unlimited Talent: bespoke training and mentoring programme for successful applicants to support the realisation of their commission. Training will be specifically created for the needs of each artist or partnership
- Unlimited Presents: Work created through Unlimited Commissions will have the opportunity to be showcased in London and across the UK up to and including games time
- Unlimited International: Supporting collaboration between artists in the UK and other countries, and showcasing new work around the world. It will also promote a global debate amongst young people about disability rights. This pillar of the programme is being led by the British Council and is still in development, full details will be announced in 2010
The £3m fund is split into two sections, half in a commissioning fund of £1.5m for new work which is believed to be the largest single investment in creative work by disabled artists. The second half of the programme will provide support to artists to develop their talent and skills and present their work to audiences in the UK and abroad.
Moria Sinclair, Executive Director, Arts Council England, London said ‘We're really pleased to be working with the other UK arts councils to deliver this ground-breaking project.
‘By investing in a number of talented disabled artists and producers, Unlimited Commissions will bring their work to more people, and crucially, develop stronger partnerships with some of our best venues and producers. In this way we hope to achieve a legacy of powerful new relationships, informed by excellent creative practice and shared ambitions.’
Unlimited Commissions will support the creation and production of high quality work across all artforms that places disabled and Deaf people at its centre either through its form, content or setting.
We welcome proposals from disabled and Deaf artists, and disabled and Deaf led arts organisations, who wish to develop their work, strengthen their artistic practice, challenge perceptions and forge new partnerships with presenting venues and events.
Successful applicants will be offered a programme of professional development through Unlimited Talent to support the realisation of the commission and to facilitate the inclusion of the work at appropriate showcases.
For further information and to apply for the Commissions, visit www.artscouncil.org.uk/unlimited
Further information on Unlimited
Unlimited is principally funded by the Olympic Lottery Distributor, and is delivered in partnership between London 2012, Arts Council England, the Scottish Arts Council, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the British Council.
Unlimited is delivered through four pillars:
Unlimited Commissions: Over the three years artists can apply for awards of around £25,000 – £50,000 as part of a £1.5 million commission fund to support high quality collaborations between disabled and Deaf artists and producers, and mainstream arts organisations. Applications will be made through the existing Grants for the Arts process run by Arts Council England but with annual deadlines from now until 2011. Applications must respond to a number of criteria including:
· Celebrating London and the whole of the UK welcoming the world
· Inspiring and involving young people
· Increasing opportunities for the public to engage in arts activities
· Generating a positive legacy
Artists can find out more information at www.artscouncil.org.uk/unlimited
Unlimited Talent: Successful applicants will receive support in developing their commission winning ideas. Unlimited Talent will provide this support, delivered through bespoke mentoring from experienced practitioners and training specifically created for the needs of each artist or partnership.
Unlimited Presents: Work created through Unlimited Commissions will be showcased in London and across the UK up to and including games time.
Unlimited International: This will support collaboration between the artists in the UK and other countries, and showcase new work around the world. It will also promote a global debate amongst young people about disability rights. This pillar of the programme is being led by the British Council and is still in development, full details will be announced in 2010.
About the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad
The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad is a national celebration of culture which is happening now and is about:
- Giving everyone in the country a chance to be part of London 2012
- Bringing sport and art together on a scale that has never been done
- Using the power of the Olympic Games to inspire creativity across all forms of culture, especially amongst young people.
- Making a real impact which will leave a lasting legacy well beyond 2012
Communications Officer, Vision 2012
t:020 7608 4149
e: sophie.woodward@artscouncil.org.uk
