Creative commissions for disabled artists launched with BBC Arts
Marking the 25th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act, we’re partnering with the UK’s other arts councils to invest in ten new works by disabled artists as part of BBC Arts’ Culture in Quarantine initiative. The works will appear on a range of BBC platforms, including TV and radio as well as iPlayer, the BBC Sounds app and BBC Arts website.
D/deaf, neurodivergent and disabled professional artists will be invited to apply to produce new video or audio works with support from digital production specialists.
This new opportunity builds on the success of BBC Arts’ Culture in Quarantine artists’ commissioning strand, launched in April 2020 by BBC Arts and Arts Council England, which invited artists to give a creative response to the challenges of lockdown. A total of 25 commissions were produced, which achieved audiences in the millions across BBC and social platforms.
This new commissioning strand will also work with the UK Disability Arts Alliance which amplifies the voices of D/deaf, neurodivergent and disabled creative practitioners and disability arts organisations. The programme will be managed by digital support agency The Space in partnership with Unlimited, an arts commissioning programme that enables new work by disabled artists to reach UK and international audiences.
Darren Henley, Chief Executive Officer at Arts Council England said: “Culture in Quarantine has supported a diverse range of artists across the United Kingdom to create new work, which we’ve all been able to enjoy from the comfort of our homes. I’m proud that we are continuing our partnership with BBC Arts, Arts Council Wales, Creative Scotland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to invest in ten commissions from D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent practitioners – who have been disproportionately affected by the current pandemic – showcasing and celebrating their unique perspectives.”
Jonty Claypole, Director BBC Arts said: “The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 is one of the most important civil rights landmarks in British history. To mark this important anniversary, the BBC’s Culture in Quarantine initiative is joining with Arts Council England, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Arts Council of Wales and Creative Scotland to commission a range of film and audio projects that celebrate the talent of D/deaf, neurodivergent and disabled professional artists today. This is more important than ever in the age of Covid-19 when the need for extreme shielding threatens to silence many disabled artists who would otherwise be producing work for galleries and stages around the UK.”
Artist, curator and producer, Cathy Mager, whose film ‘Sign Night’ was previously commissioned for Culture in Quarantine said: “Being commissioned by BBC Arts and Arts Council England to produce work for the BBC Arts Culture in Quarantine initiative was incredible. I was supported to create a film that explored British Sign Language culture in an authentic and powerful way and I’m delighted that this funding scheme is being expanded. It is vital to continue to invest in deaf and disabled artists, so that the stories of their diverse lived experience can come to the fore.”
The application process opens on Monday 9 November until 12pm (midday) Tuesday 12 January 2021. Find out more and apply >
Commissions will be selected by a panel including representatives from BBC Arts, Arts Council England, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Arts Council of Wales, Creative Scotland and the UK Disability Arts Alliance. It is expected that the works will be produced between March 2021 and June 2021, airing on BBC platforms later in 2021.
