Organizer Information
Unlimited is a UK arts commissioning body that supports, funds, and promotes new work by disabled artists, with the mission stated on its own site: "Unlimited will commission extraordinary work from disabled artists until the whole of the cultural sector does." The organisation originated as a commissioning initiative for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, and since its inception has commissioned more than 70 pieces of work spanning theatre, dance, visual art, music, literature, film, poetry, and performance art, including internationally recognized pieces. In April 2022, Unlimited became an independent organisation, and in November of that year it was awarded National Portfolio Organisation status by Arts Council England for 2023–2027, bringing annual funding alongside support from the Arts Council of Wales, Creative Scotland, the British Council, and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Unlimited is a registered charity (Charity number 1196665) based at WX Wakefield Exchange in Wakefield.
Title & Description
Unlimited Partner Awards 2026/27
The Partner Awards are Unlimited's programme to help disabled artists bring ambitious new work to life, delivered in collaboration with a network of partner arts organisations across England, Scotland, and Wales. For this round, Unlimited is offering 11 awards totalling £280,000, funded by Arts Council England, Arts Council of Wales, and the National Lottery through Creative Scotland. Each award is hosted and delivered by a different partner organisation, with its own individual eligibility, criteria, and application guidance published on a separate award page. Partners for this round include Apples and Snakes, Creative Folkestone, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Plymouth Culture, Sainsbury Centre, Storyhouse, Turner Sims, and Without Walls in England; Cryptic and Scottish Sculpture Workshop in Scotland; and Sherman Theatre in Wales.
Categories
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Performance
- Visual Arts
- Sound/Music
- Multiple Disciplines
- People with Disability
Eligibility
- Applicants must be a disabled artist, or a disabled artist leading the creation of work within a disabled-led company
- Applicants must be based in England, Scotland, or Wales
- Applicants must be aged 18 or over
- Applicants must not be in full-time education
- Detailed eligibility, criteria, and application guidance vary by individual award and are published on each award's own page
Program Benefits & Awards
- 11 awards available in total, totalling £280,000
- England: 8 awards, ranging from £15,000 to £40,000
- Scotland: 2 awards, ranging from £15,000 to £40,000
- Wales: 1 award of £20,000, delivered in partnership with Sherman Theatre
- Application information available in audio, British Sign Language, Easy Read, and large print formats
- Awards for artists based in Scotland also available in Scottish Gaelic; awards for artists based in Wales also available in Welsh
- Access support available for applicants who need it, including alternative accessible formats not otherwise provided
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 28 September 2026
Location
England, Scotland, and Wales, United Kingdom
Additional Details
- Free online information sessions are available where applicants can learn about the funding and application process
- FAQs addressing common application questions are published on the Unlimited website
- Applicants needing access support to apply, or requiring an accessible format not already provided, can contact Unlimited by email or phone/text