Open call: UK funding for disabled artists

The programme is designed for disabled artists working in music, drama, dance, visual arts, literature, and combined arts, fashion, architecture, and/or film. 

The organisers have up to five awards available – of up to £50 000. Interested individuals can apply using text, video or audio.  

Apply here before 2 October. 

Who can apply?

The International Open Awards are open to:

• Professional disabled artists and/or a disabled-led companies.
• Based in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.
• Aged 18 and above.
• Not in full-time education

The work must facilitate a meaningful collaboration with a disabled artist/collective based in one of the following Official Development Assistance (ODA) countries: Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Turkey, Ukraine*, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Note: The funders reserve the right to suspend activities in any of the countries listed above if a national safety concern arises. 

What kind of work are the organisers looking for?

For these commissions, the organisers are looking for work which creates genuine international collaboration. It should produce positive social and/or economic impacts by artists wishing to create and share a new piece of work. It can be created in any of the following art forms: music, drama, dance, visual arts, literature, and combined arts, fashion, architecture, and/or film.

The work should aim to be:

• High-quality.
• Disabled-led.
• Innovative and ambitious.
• A genuine collaboration – an exchange of skills and knowledge.
• Improving networks as a result of the collaboration.
• Developing the artistic practice of all involved.
• The work has the potential to reach multiple, diverse venues and audiences.
• The artist and/or company has a track record of creating work and reaching audiences.
• This criteria is what we will use to assess your application.

View the original call here.

*The British Council has temporarily suspended activities in Ukraine for the safety and well-being of all. Applicants can still collaborate with a Ukrainian artist working outside of Ukraine.