Deadline: 29-Sep-2025
Submissions are now open for the Unlimited’s Large awards to support bold creative visions from disabled artists based in England, Scotland, and Wales.
High quality, Disabled-led, Innovative and ambitious, Touring or exhibition potential to reach diverse venues and audiences, Artist has a track record of creating work and reaching audiences, the work can be completed within a 16-month timeframe.
They want to help take it further, connect it with audiences, and make sure it’s seen in the places it deserves to be. Their Open Awards are open to professional disabled artists, or disabled artists leading the creation of work within disabled-led companies, based in England, Scotland, or Wales, aged 18 and over, and not in full-time education.
Large awards available include two £80,000 Open Awards for artists based in England, two £50,000 Open Awards for artists based in England, one £50,000 Open Award for artists based in Scotland, and one £30,000 Open Award for artists based in Wales. For awards over £25,000, applicants are expected to secure a minimum of 10% match funding from other sources, which can be cash or in kind. This match funding cannot come from the regional arts council.
Applications can be submitted in any artform except film, fashion, and architecture, though combined artforms are allowed if the primary artform or all involved artforms are clearly listed. These awards are not designed to fund additional commissioning or micro grants administered within the award, workshops such as those designed to teach or learn a new skill, one-time events like festivals or networking events, or organisational training or core operational costs. The purpose of the awards is to support the creation of art to be seen by audiences.
The selection panel is disability-led, made up of their allies and independent disabled panel members. Unlimited staff support the application process and work with the panels to ensure a balanced selection, but they do not participate in the final selection voting process. They aim to support a diverse range of ideas across artforms, diversity, scale, and location.
If shortlisted, applicants will be invited to submit a second-stage application on Wednesday 26 November 2025, with final decisions to be announced in March 2026. For larger awards, they are looking for three public sharings over the 16-month commission period, such as exhibitions or performances, along with plans for further onward touring or exhibitions beyond the commission phase. Work is expected to start no earlier than July 2026, with premieres planned for Spring or Summer 2027, though earlier schedules may be considered. Application closes on 29 September 2025.
For more information, visit Unlimited.
