Open Awards 2025/26

About the Open Call

Our Open Awards offer ten opportunities for disabled artists based in England, Scotland or Wales. These awards offer a grand total of £413,000 to disabled artists with individual awards ranging from £15,000 seed commissions, to £80,000 for major production-ready backing. This commissioning awards round supports bold, brilliant disabled artists to create, develop and share extraordinary work. We welcome applications from disabled artists across all disciplines and backgrounds including those who may not have applied before. If you’ve got a boundary-pushing idea and need someone to believe in it, we want to hear from you. These awards are made possible with the support from Arts Council England, Arts Council of Wales, and Creative Scotland. Essential information: Expression of interest applications deadline: Monday 29 September 2025 midday. All the information you need to apply is available below. Be sure to review the following: Individual award pages, FAQs page. Please join an info session to find out more. If you need this information in any other format, need access support to apply, or have any other questions, please contact us by emailing commissions@weareunlimited.org.uk, or calling/texting 07506 679968. Small Awards (under 25k): Four awards available for disabled artists based in England, Scotland and Wales. Smaller seed awards are ideal for testing, exploring and playing with an early idea, offering a space to begin. Large Awards (over £25k): Six awards available for disabled artists based in England, Scotland and Wales. Perfect to get that almost-there piece in front of audiences and make sure it’s seen in the places it deserves. We’re holding a series of info sessions where you can find out more about the awards. Application information is available in audio, British Sign Language, Easy Read, large print, Scottish Gaelic and Welsh. If you need this information in any other format, or need funding for access support to apply to us please contact us on: commissions@weareunlimited.org.uk 07506 679968.

What is Offered

Ten opportunities for disabled artists. A grand total of £413,000 in awards with individual awards ranging from £15,000 seed commissions to £80,000 for major production-ready backing. Support to create, develop and share extraordinary work.

Requirements

Open to disabled artists based in England, Scotland or Wales. Applications welcome from disabled artists across all disciplines and backgrounds including those who may not have applied before. Applicants should have a boundary-pushing idea and need someone to believe in it.

How to Apply

Expression of interest applications deadline: Monday 29 September 2025 midday. All the information you need to apply is available below. Be sure to review the following: Individual award pages, FAQs page. Please join an info session to find out more. If you need this information in any other format, need access support to apply, or have any other questions, please contact us by emailing commissions@weareunlimited.org.uk, or calling/texting 07506 679968.