Deadline: 29-Sep-2025
Applications are now open for the Unlimited’s Small Awards to support bold creative visions from disabled artists based in England, Scotland, and Wales.
The panel will consider: High quality, Disabled-led, Innovative and ambitious, Clear with strong development potential for future touring or exhibition, Artist has some track record of creating work and reaching audiences, the work can be completed within a 12-month timeframe.
These awards are designed to give artists time, space, and support to take creative risks. They recognize that powerful work doesn’t happen overnight but starts with a spark. The focus is on funding work that will have a life beyond the initial commission, with the expectation that all projects reach multiple audiences as part of a wider mission to challenge and change the world.
The Open Awards are available to professional disabled artists or disabled artists leading the creation of work within disabled-led companies. Applicants must be based in England, Scotland, or Wales, aged 18 and over, and not in full-time education.
Four small awards are being offered: two worth £20,000 for artists based in England, one worth £18,000 for an artist in Scotland, and one worth £15,000 for an artist in Wales. At this expression of interest stage, applicants do not need to submit a detailed budget, only an overall idea of the project’s cost.
Applications are accepted in any artform except film, fashion, and architecture, due to funding conditions. Artists can combine artforms but should specify the primary artform or list all involved. The awards are not intended to cover commissioning or micro grants, workshops designed for teaching or learning, one-time events such as festivals, or organizational training and operational costs, as the focus is on creating art to be shared with audiences.
The application requires a clear and simple description of the idea, written in a way that is understandable to all members of the selection panel. Artists should consider how their project meets each of the stated criteria. Shortlisted applicants will later be asked to provide details such as timelines and full budgets.
For Small Awards under £25,000, artists are expected to plan for two sharings over the 12-month commission period, such as work-in-progress exhibitions, performances, or open dress rehearsals. Work should not begin before July 2026, with the resulting projects to be shared from early Spring 2027 onward, although earlier completion is also possible.
The selection panel is made up of their allies and independent disabled panel members, and the panel is disability-led. Unlimited staff support the application process and work with the panels to ensure a balanced selection. They aim to support a diverse range of ideas across artforms, diversity, scale, and location. However, they do not participate in the final selection voting process. If shortlisted, applicants will be invited to submit a second-stage application on Wednesday 26 November 2025, with final decisions on commission awards to be made in March 2026. The deadline for application is 29 September 2025.
For more information, visit Unlimited.
