HomeFundingProjectsUnlimited Impact

Unlimited Impact

Shape Arts
Grantholder

Building on the Cultural Olympiad to support emerging artists to build their careers and grow their reach.

Project information

£974,995

Grant amount

March 2014

Date awarded

April 2014 – October 2019

Project duration

UK-wide

Location

Download Evaluation Report (2016) Download Formative Project Case Study (2015)

Project Detail

Project summary


Unlimited was one of the most visible and successful elements of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, working with disabled artists. This was a solicited application for an extension to the main programme for established disabled artists (Unlimted) which was being funded by the Arts Council and British Council.

Unlimited Impact was delivered by a partnership of Shape Arts and Artsadmin. In 2014 and 2016 the Southbank Centre hosted an Unlimited showcase weekend across multiple artforms. Unlimited Impact was the first grant awarded by the Spirit of 2012 Board from the endowment, and originally part of a portfolio of inclusive grants including National Paralympic Day. In 2016 the Spirit of 2012 Board awarded a further grant to extend Unlimited Impact to 2019.

The overall aim of the first phase (from 2014-16) was to expand the reach of Unlimited to communities over England and Scotland challenging expectations around both disability and arts, to inspire a new generation of emerging disabled artists, social activists and art enthusiasts and ultimately to promote a more positive public perception of disabled people. Alongside funding work by emerging disabled artists, Unlimited Impact included two main strands of support:

  • ‘Ambassadors’ who worked with young disabled artists, activists and enthusiasts to develop and present high quality artwork and develop new skills and confidence.
  • ‘Allies’ to build alliances with cultural venues and festivals, so that they would engage with disabled artists and develop new audiences.

The second phase (2016-2019) moved to more direct support for emerging young disabled artists, mentoring and support for a trainee within the Unlimited programme itself. Phase 2 did not include the allies programme with venues as Shape Arts felt this outcome was sufficiently delivered in Phase 1. There was a clear sense of progression from the first phase to the second. Phase 2 was match funded by Arts Council Wales.

 

Impact & Learning

Key achievements

  • The impact on the commissioned artists has been proud with many going on to national and international commissions and exhibitions.
  • The artists delivered a total of 738 events, performances and activities reaching at least 104,968 people, and if you include the social media reach of the direct work supported by Spirit of 2012, it reached an impressive 227,424.
  • The evaluation showed an improvement in individual wellbeing from participating in the programme. In response to the question ‘Do you feel better about your life and future as a result of being involved in this project/event?’ 92% agreed.
  • Anxiety levels were high for several of the artists at the start of the commission and throughout, however there was a small decrease in anxiety of 15%. One participant noted that “I’ve never led a team and having that responsibility was a challenging yet rewarding opportunity”. This quote highlights why quantitative data might not show a huge drop in anxiety levels specifically, but that the experience could have led to an increase in happiness or self-worth.
  • Artists from a final round of the programme who were surveyed were found to have benefitted from the networking opportunities. 92% of respondents’ taking part in an event agreed that they had made new contacts. One participant noted that “having exposure to artists and audiences with so many different disabilities and access needs has helped shape my identity as a disabled person for the better.” This suggests that perceptions of disability were positively challenged through participation in Unlimited Impact.

Key learnings

This was one of the first grants that really tested our flexibility in terms of delivery of outcomes. The artists that Unlimited was working with often needed greater support and longer timeframes to be able to deliver and manage their conditions.

A summary of the lessons from Unlimited Impact on working with Spirit can be found here:

Visit Unlimited site – Saying goodbye and thank you to Spirit of 2012 Page

Media Library

Unlimited Impact – summary film
Unlimited Impact: Man On The Bench

Related content

Arts & culture Disability inclusion Disabled people Events legacy Major events Sport & physical activity Volunteering & social action Wellbeing Young people

Critical Mass

Birmingham