Plymouth Culture partners with Unlimited to support new digital commission by a disabled artist

Disabled artists are being invited to apply for a new Plymouth Culture and Unlimited Partner Award, supporting bold digital work that connects people with the ocean, marine heritage and Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

Plymouth Culture has been announced as one of 11 UK partner organisations working with Unlimited on its latest round of Partner Awards, with £280,000 available nationally to support disabled artists to make ambitious new work.

The awards, which range from £15,000 to £40,000, will support work across theatre, performance, digital media, music, visual arts and more, from research and development through to presentation and touring.

The Plymouth Culture award will focus on a creative digital project that inspires people to connect with the ocean and marine heritage, with public sharing opportunities to be experienced by Plymouth communities. The commission will support work that explores Plymouth residents’ relationship with the ocean and contributes to the aims of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

Artists might use immersive installation, interactive experiences, digital environments or other creative technologies to bring the ocean to life. The award also welcomes projects with the potential to be presented in an immersive 360° dome environment, with technical support available through Real Ideas at Market Hall.

Plymouth Culture’s involvement in the Partner Awards sits within Sea for Yourself, a cultural programme connected to Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. The programme uses art, storytelling and digital innovation to help more people connect with the ocean, marine heritage and the natural world.

Hannah Harris, Chief Executive Officer at Plymouth Culture, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Unlimited to shape and support this digital commission. Our Creative Sector Survey highlighted a lack of opportunities for disabled and Deaf creatives, so this collaboration is a first step in responding to that and providing more tailored opportunities within the city and region. We’re excited to discover disabled and Deaf artists who are pushing the boundaries of digital practice.”

A quarter of the UK population is disabled, yet disabled artists remain significantly under-represented in arts funding, programming and audiences. Unlimited’s Partner Awards are working to close that gap by investing in new work and building meaningful relationships between artists and partner organisations.

Each award is jointly funded by Unlimited and a partner organisation, with partners also providing in-kind support and championing the artists they commission. For Plymouth Culture, this support includes producing guidance, creative development conversations, introductions to relevant city partners and networks, support around public-facing activity, and marketing and promotional support.

Cat Sheridan, Senior Producer at Unlimited, said: “These awards mean 11 disabled artists can make ambitious new work with a partner invested in them from day one. Not just funding, but a real relationship with a venue or festival that will champion what they create. At a time when arts organisations are stretched thinner than ever, we're testing whether this partnership model gets money, and more meaningful opportunities directly to disabled artists.”

The Partner Awards are made possible with the support of Arts Council England, Arts Council of Wales and the National Lottery through Creative Scotland. An independent disabled-led selection panel will make award decisions following a two-stage application process. Unlimited will announce awarded artists in March 2027.

Applications open on Monday 10th August 2026. The deadline for applications is Monday 28 September 2026 at midday.

Find out more and apply: https://weareunlimited.org.uk/blog/partner-awards-for-disabled-artists-totalling-280000-now-open/