£3m for "Unlimited" 2012 arts package

Kelly Mullan

Unlimited, a £3 million disability arts programme, was launched on 7 October as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. Unlimited is the UK’s largest ever disability arts programme.

Organisers hope to, “transform the disability arts movement in the UK through major new commissions and talent development programmes”.

Unlimited will create new work for 2012, invest in young talent and “showcase excellence using the power of the Games to challenge traditional perceptions of disability in the UK and stimulate a global debate amongst young people about disability rights internationally”.

The partners behind Unlimited are the Olympic Lottery Distributor, Arts Council England, Scottish Arts Council, Arts Council Wales, the British Council, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympics Games (LOCOG).

The £3 million fund is split into two sections, half in a commissioning fund of £1.5m for new work – 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.

Jenny Sealey, MBE, Artistic Director, Graeae Theatre Company and Artistic Advisor for Unlimited said: “The disability arts community has been on tenterhooks waiting for Unlimited to be unleashed. Disability arts and culture demonstrates artistic excellence, crosses all boundaries and is a powerful agent for change.

“I hope the future after Unlimited will be one of new audiences, new artistic partnerships and collaborations across the creative industry with talented disabled artists rightly given equal status and profile.”

Tony Hall, Chair of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad Board, said: “In Beijing we became the first Organising Committee to have disabled artists in the handover ceremony for the Olympic Games and we will continue this commitment.”

Lead cheerleader for Unlimited, Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “London is leading the way on disability arts, highlighted by the Liberty festival and companies like Graeae and Candoco. So give a cheer for Unlimited, an unprecedented showcase of disabled artists and opportunity to discover new talent. I want the 2012 Games to be the most accessible ever and Deaf and disabled people – whether athletes, artists, or spectators – are central to making that happen.”

Artists can now apply for funding of £25-£50,000 at www.london2012.com/unlimited