Since we became an independent organisation last year, we’ve been having conversations with organisations across the sector to define what it means to be an Ally with Unlimited. What can we offer and what do we need from the sector?
This is how we landed on our new Ally scheme. Connect with us and we can work together to make the changes that are needed in the cultural sector, so that disabled artists can thrive.
What is an Unlimited Ally?
Our Allies are organisations across the cultural sector who have committed to working with us. The task is to increase the level of disabled-led art being programmed, produced and commissioned, across the UK and internationally.
Our Ally scheme is a core part of our CONNECT strand of work, connecting disabled artists to decision-makers throughout the sector.
For us, Allies come in all shapes and sizes – from local to international, from a team of five to an organisation of a hundred. The key is that we are working to create meaningful opportunities for disabled artists.
We are committed to sharing our practice, failures and success. We will support cultural organisations to develop their skills, so that they can present the work of disabled artists in the best possible way.
Where has this come from?
Historically, our Allies have been a wide range of organisations who generally wanted to support disabled artists and our work. This included championing change, exploring research or accessing resources.
However, we realised that we could not sustain an equitable commitment to such a wide range of organisations. We needed to work on clarifying what we would ask for in return.
With that in mind, we have spent the last year talking with a range of organisations about what those commitments may look like.
Our Allies are now organisations who are actively seeking to programme, produce or showcase disabled artists in a meaningful and sustainable way.
Our new Ally scheme
We’re excited to introduce a tiered approach with a range of timescales and levels of commitment. The different levels represent the commitment to work together on programming and/or commissioning disabled artists, ways from which we can all benefit.
How to join our Ally scheme
Allies network
Any organisation actively seeking to programme, commission or produce disabled artists can contact us and join the network.
This will start a conversation. As a member of the network, you’ll receive direct mailings four times a year and invitations to our CONNECTs events.
Level one
At this level, you are committed to working with us for 12 months.
With some light-touch support from us, you will regularly try to offer short-term opportunities for artists, such as residencies.
Current Allies:
Level two
At this level, you are committed to working with us for a two-year period.
We will offer peer-to-peer support sessions and bespoke advice, so that you can work towards the successful delivery of a partner award.
Current Allies:
Level three
At this level, you’re committed to a long-term, strategic partnership. We’ll be looking to explore and co-create opportunities over a number of years.
It’s an opportunity to dream a bit bigger in terms of what it’s possible to do together.
Current Allies:
Together let’s connect disabled artists and organisations throughout the sector, across the UK and internationally.
If you would like to find out more about becoming an Unlimited Ally, please contact Cat Sheridan, Senior Producer on cat@weareunlimited.org.uk
