London 2012 Cultural Olympiad launches the UK's largest programme celebrating arts, culture and sport by disabled and deaf people

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Unprecedented £3m Three-Year Programme To Create New Work for 2012: Commissions, Talent Development, UK and International Performances

Unlimited, the UK’s largest ever disability arts programme – set to transform the disability arts movement in the UK – has been launched by London 2012 as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, and opens for artists’ entries today through www.london2012.com/unlimited.

Unlimited is the result of a three year consultation process across the disability, arts and disability sports sectors. Unlimited provides the disability arts and cultural sector with an unparalleled opportunity to develop new work for the world stage.

The total project fund of £3m, provided principally by the Olympic Lottery Distributor, using National Lottery funds, with additional funding and delivery by Arts Council England, the British Council, the Scottish Arts Council, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and London 2012, will:

* Enable talented disabled and deaf artists to create exciting, quality new work across all disciplines leading up to and including the Olympic and Paralympic Games with awards of £25-50,000 as part of Unlimited Commissions.
* Unlimited Presents will bring new audiences to disability arts through major pieces of new work showcased at arts festivals, venues and London 2012 events, building up to and including the Games.
* Provide resources and training to foster young talent and develop skills across the sector through Unlimited Talent, forging new partnerships between disability and mainstream arts organisations.
* Unlimited International will support collaboration between the artists in the UK and other countries, showcase new work around the world, and promote a global debate amongst young people about disability rights.
* Unlimited will leave a lasting legacy of high quality new work, increased confidence and momentum in the sector.

The £3m fund is split into two sections, half in a commissioning fund of £1.5m for new work which is believed to be the largest single investment in creative work by disabled artists. The second half of the programme will provide support to artists to develop their talent and skills and present their work to audiences in the UK and abroad.

Janet Paraskeva, Chair of the Olympic Lottery Distributor, said: 'London 2012 can bring opportunities to all of us and that is why the Olympic Lottery Distributor is investing National Lottery funds in disabled and deaf artists to enable them to work with mainstream organisations to bring their work to new audiences.

'The level of funding from The Olympic Lottery Distributor and all the contributing partners represents our commitment to the development of the disabled arts sector whose work can be a powerful catalyst for change in perception and understanding.'

Jenny Sealey, MBE, Artistic Director, Graeae Theatre Company and Artistic Advisor for Unlimited said: 'The disability arts community has been on tenterhooks waiting for Unlimited to be unleashed. Disability arts and culture demonstrates artistic excellence crosses all boundaries and is a powerful agent for change.

'It enables disabled people to strive for artistic expression, champion their own destiny and combat prejudice. Unlimited is an opportunity like no other for an extraordinary programme of art, performance and spectacle – a chance to speak to the world about the quality of what we do.

'I hope the future after Unlimited will be one of new audiences, new artistic partnerships and collaborations across the creative industry with talented disabled artists rightly given equal status and profile.'

Unlimited will encourage collaborations and partnerships between disability arts organisations, disabled and deaf artists, producers, and mainstream organisations to celebrate the inspiration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and produce work like never before.

Applications for the Commission strand are welcomed from disabled and deaf artists or disability arts groups wishing to create excellent work either on their own or in partnership with other disabled and non-disabled artists or groups. Further information on the application process can be found at www.london2012.com/unlimited.

Tony Hall, Chair of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad Board, said: 'In Beijing we became the first Organising Committee to have disabled artists in the handover ceremony for the Olympic Games and we will continue this commitment to showcasing excellence from disabled and nondisabled artists and arts organisations.

'The UK produces some of the best disability arts in the world and by using the power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, we can help the movement grow, foster young talent, enable collaboration between disabled and mainstream arts organisations and provide platforms to showcase excellence in the UK and around the world.

'The legacy for Unlimited will not only be a range of high quality new work but far wider, new partnerships, new audiences and increased skills and greater understanding.'

Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee said:
'The Unlimited programme will without doubt contribute to the expansion of the Paralympic audience over the next three years in the United Kingdom with its theme of celebrating arts, culture and sport by people with a disability.

'The programme will create awareness in the community that will certainly yield more opportunities for future artists and athletes who will be inspired by the upcoming and much anticipated London 2012 Paralympic Games.'

Moira Sinclair, Executive Director, Arts Council England, London said: 'We're really pleased to be working with the other UK arts councils to deliver this ground-breaking project.

'By investing in a number of talented disabled artists and producers, Unlimited Commissions will bring their work to more people, and crucially, develop stronger partnerships with some of our best venues and producers. In this way we hope to achieve a legacy of powerful new relationships, informed by excellent creative practice and shared ambitions.'

Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: 'Open to all disciplines, Unlimited mirrors our commitment to the development of the arts and disability sector, where work can be a powerful catalyst for change in perception and understanding.

'Additionally the programme offers a unique opportunity for the sector to be part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and importantly for its work to be showcased on an international stage. We have a wealth of talent here in Northern Ireland and I look forward to seeing a high level of entries from which the commissions will emerge.'

Leonie Bell, Creative Programmer for London 2012 for the Scottish Arts Council said: 'Scotland’s disabled artists have continually sought to innovate and reach new heights both in their approach to their creative practice and to the work that audiences engage with.

'This is reflected in the strength of the disability arts sector here, but there is so much more we can achieve. The Scottish Arts Council reflects Scotland’s diversity in everything we do and everything we fund and Unlimited provides a fantastic opportunity to build on our strengths and develop partnership for the benefit of all those who take part in the arts and culture of Scotland.'

Diane Hebb, Head of Planning and Development for Arts Council of Wales said: 'This is an exciting time in Wales for Disability arts and culture. Our disabled artists are producing high quality, stimulating and often challenging work that through the Unlimited programme will receive wider recognition and acclaim. The legacy of this programme for Wales will be greater understanding of the contribution our disabled artists can make to the enrichment of our nation's culture.'

Martin Davidson CMG, Chief Executive British Council said: “Unlimited will support a truly global collaboration between disabled and deaf artists in the UK and other countries. It will showcase new work and promote a global debate amongst young people about disability rights. The British Council is proud to be an Unlimited partner and contribute to the legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.'

Nelson McCausland, Northern Ireland Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure said: 'Unlimited celebrates the inspiration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It will encourage collaborations and partnerships between disabled artists, arts and disability organisations, and mainstream organisations to produce work as never before. I am encouraging Northern Ireland’s Arts and Disability sector to get inspired by this once in a lifetime experience and contribute to a legacy beyond the 2012 Games.'

Margaret Mann, Chair of the Arts and Disability Forum and Unlimited Spokesperson said: 'Unlimited marks an enormous boost for Northern Ireland’s Arts and Disability sector. The programme enables disabled people to strive for artistic expression, champion their own destiny and combat prejudice. Unlimited is an opportunity like no other for an extraordinary programme of art, performance and spectacle – a chance to speak to the world about the artistic excellence we produce across all boundaries.'

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'London is leading the way on disability arts, highlighted by the Liberty festival and companies like Graeae and Candoco. So give a cheer for Unlimited, an unprecedented showcase of disabled artists and opportunity to discover new talent. I want the 2012 Games to be the most accessible ever and Deaf and disabled people – whether athletes, artists, or spectators – are central to the making that happen.'

Images from the launch event will be available from at http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePat...av=pr129088011

– Ends –


Press Contacts

Kallaway
William Kallaway, 020 7221 7883, william@kallaway.co.uk
Emma Lawson, 020 7221 7883, emma.lawson@kallaway.co.uk

London 2012
Paul Woodmansey in the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100, paul.woodmansey@london2012.com

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100

Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog http://blog.london2012.com or follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/london2012team


Notes to editors

Further information on Unlimited
Unlimited is principally funded by the Olympic Lottery Distributor, and is delivered in partnership between London 2012, Arts Council England, the Scottish Arts Council, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the British Council.

Unlimited is delivered through four pillars:

* Unlimited Commissions: Over the three years artists can apply for awards of around £25,000 – £50,000 as part of a £1.5 million commission fund to support high quality collaborations between disabled and deaf artists and producers, and mainstream arts organisations. Applications will be made through the existing Grants for the Arts process run by Arts Council England but with annual deadlines from now until 2011.

Applications must respond to a number of criteria including:
- Celebrating London and the whole of the UK welcoming the world
- Inspiring and involving young people
- Increasing opportunities for the public to engage in arts activities
- Generating a positive legacy
Artists can find out more information at www.london2012.com/unlimited

* Unlimited Talent: Successful applicants will receive support in developing their commission winning ideas. Unlimited Talent will provide this support, delivered through bespoke mentoring from experienced practitioners and training specifically created for the needs of each artist or partnership.
* Unlimited Presents: Work created through Unlimited Commissions will be showcased in London and across the UK up to and including Games-time.
* Unlimited International: This will support collaboration between the artists in the UK and other countries, and showcase new work around the world. It will also promote a global debate amongst young people about disability rights. This pillar of the programme is being led by the British Council and is still in development, full details will be announced in 2010.

London 2012 Cultural Olympiad
The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad is a national celebration of culture which is happening now and is about:

* Giving everyone in the country a chance to be part of London 2012.
* Bringing sport and art together on a scale that has never been done.
* Using the power of the Olympic Games to inspire creativity across all forms of culture, especially amongst young people.
* Making a real impact which will leave a lasting legacy well beyond 2012.

BP is the Premier Partner of the Cultural Olympiad.

As it heads towards its £2bn budget for staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games, LOCOG has six domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are now five domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte and UPS. There are eleven domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, Crystal CG, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Holiday Inn, McCann Worldgroup, The Nielsen Company, Populous, Ticketmaster and Trident.

The Worldwide Olympic Partners signed up for London 2012 are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa.


Source
www.london2012.com