Shape Arts and Artsadmin look back on nine years of delivering the Unlimited commissioning programme

As Unlimited transitions into an independent organisation at the end of the month, we look back on the last nine years of co-delivering the Unlimited commissioning programme with Shape Arts

What a journey! Since 2013, Unlimited has given more than £4.8 million to support over 460 disabled artists and creatives. This support has taken many forms, from the Unlimited Commissions that have reached audiences of over five million people globally and online, to awards, events, professional development, and opportunities to showcase work. All with the very important aim of supporting disabled artists and companies to share their ambitious, creative projects and reach new audiences. 

Unlimited has not only been impressive in terms of statistics; it’s also had a major impact on the arts sector. Unlimited has encouraged UK and international cultural organisations to embed work by disabled artists and develop disabled audiences with the broader ambition of fundamentally shifting perspectives about disabled people – a whopping 349 venues and 304 festivals have showcased Unlimited Commissions and we thank you all for giving a platform for this groundbreaking and high quality work. After nine years of co-delivery with Shape Arts, the Unlimited programme draws to a close this month, and bids farewell to its partners as it transitions to become an independent organisation. 

Both Shape Arts and Artsadmin are immensely proud of the work we’ve been able to undertake through the Unlimited programme, in close collaboration with Jo Verrent. The impact that the Unlimited team, artists and allies have had on both our organisations is immeasurable and we’re thrilled about the prospect of future collaborations with the new Unlimited organisation. But, before we go, we wanted to pause and reflect on the legacy of this partnership and the many ways we hope to stay involved in the exciting future that lies ahead.

“Co-delivering Unlimited alongside our friends at Artsadmin has been a nourishing and enriching experience not simply from an artistic perspective, but in a personal capacity too, in ways I am sure we will continue to feel for years to come. As a programme, we have been proud to represent and support pioneering, provocative, and incredibly talented artists across our nine years together. The Unlimited commissions are testament to this and to the sheer creative force that can be unlocked when the barriers facing disabled creatives are addressed and dismantled. Looking forward, the legacy of this partnership will undoubtedly be felt sector-wide. We’re thrilled to have played a leading part and, with a fond goodbye, eagerly anticipate the bright future of the new organisation.”

– David Hevey, Chief Executive at Shape Arts

“As Unlimited becomes its own independent organisation, Artsadmin is committed to growing and applying the learning we have been privileged with over the past nine years of working with extraordinary disabled artists, producers and trainees on this programme. Whether it’s commissioning works of scale and ambition from artists like Mish Weaver with our 2021 Unlimited co-commission Parade of Horribles, to commissioning and producing ground-breaking work by artists including Selina Thompson’s Season for Change project Immersion, to working with other organisations to produce and support visionary artists like Oozing Gloop, working with disabled artists continues to be a major priority for us.”

– Róise Goan, Artistic Director at Artsadmin

Keep in touch with Unlimited and its delivery partners Shape Arts and Artsadmin
With the programme ending, we invite you to stay part of our networks and sign up to: 
Unlimited’s new mailing list
Artsadmin’s mailing list
Shape Arts’ mailing list