Creating Time Awards

Creating Time Awards for d/Deaf and Disabled Artists in Northern Ireland funded by Unlimited and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation

Covid 19 has caused great difficulties for many people in our community – especially the d/Deaf and disabled artists – but thanks to the generosity of Unlimited and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, we are able to provide much needed funding to help d/Deaf and disabled artists to continue working. 

University of Atypical is managing a new grants programme to support d/Deaf and Disabled Artists with funding provided by Unlimited and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.  The initial funding programme offers ten £1,000 grants to support artists to continue with their creative practice.  The funding is open to artists from all artforms. 

Verrent, senior producer, Unlimited, explains.

Hardest hit were our artists who had worked through 2019/20 creating work who then had that work frozen. Exhibitions stuck in empty galleries, tours cancelled gig by gig, planned workshops postponed whilst no physical contact is possible.  Unlimited worked with the Paul Hamlyn Foundation to identify gaps and set funding programmes in place to meet the needs of the sector.  Through these funds we will partner with University of Atypical and have both a series of micro grants and also some slightly larger Ledger Legacy awards later in the year, honouring the memory of their former CEO Chris Ledger, who sadly passed away in the summer of 2020. University of Atypical will lead on these, and all those awarded will join the Unlimited alumni, enabling the development of a close partnership between us and University of Atypical going forward

Damien Coyle, CEO, University of Atypical stated:

We thank Unlimited and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation for their generous and timely investment in d/Deaf and disabled artists in Northern Ireland. This awards programme will offer a lifeline to D/deaf and disabled artists who are struggling for financial survival.  This support underpins the developmental role University of Atypical plays in promoting the work created by D/deaf and Disabled Artists and facilitating career enhancement opportunities”.

Information on the awards, application packs, and advice clinic booking forms are available from the University of Atypical website and Facebook account: www.universityofatypical.org

https://www.facebook.com/universityofatypical/

Notes to the editor:

The University of Atypical is a disabled-led arts charity, taking an empowerment-based approach towards supporting disabled and deaf people’s involvement in the arts. The organisation specialises in developing and promoting the work of artists who are disabled and deaf and in reaching disabled and deaf audiences.

Unlimited is an arts commissioning programme that aims to embed work by disabled artists within the UK and international cultural sectors, reach new audiences and shift perceptions of disabled people. Since 2013, Unlimited has awarded more than £4 million to over 360 ambitious disabled artists and companies, through commissions, awards and support, which have been seen by or engaged with more than 3.8 million people globally and online, making it the largest supporter of disabled artists worldwide

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK.  The Foundation use its resources to support social change, working towards a just and equitable society in which everyone, especially young people, can realise their full potential and enjoy fulfilling and creative lives.

This fund is part of a £40,500 grant allocated to University of Atypical to support d/Deaf and Disabled Artists in Northern Ireland.

10 grants of £1, 000 each will be awarded D/deaf and Disabled Artists in the first round.

The Fund is open for applications on Thursday 1th February 2021 and closes at 4.00 pm Friday 12^th March 2021.  University of Atypical will provide advice clinics to assist applicant with the application process.  Advice clinics are now open and run to Friday 5^th March 2021. Award recipients will be notified by Friday 9^th April 2021

Contact details:

T: 028 90239450

E: administration@universityofatypical.org W: www.universityofatypical.org

THE ARTS COLLABORATION NETWORK

“We understand that culture is everything.”

Since March 2020, Northern Ireland has been battling the Covid-19 pandemic. Lives have been altered in many ways – losing loved ones, enduring illness, losing livelihoods and a fundamental loss of social connection and cohesion due to the necessary restrictions on our daily lives. Culture is essential to help NI heal from those losses – but we cannot play our part in that healing if we are not here to do so. Culture is essential for the positive recovery of NI which is why we must act together now to protect the cultural economy. Through culture we can make the most of the opportunity to learn from our experiences during 2020 and truly build back better, towards a society that is fairer, more inclusive and places its citizens’ health and wellbeing at the top of the agenda. The critically important role that the ecology of artists and freelance creatives, organisations and venues can play in delivering the social and economic recovery of NI has been acknowledged by Ministers, MLAs and NI MPs. To support the realisation of social and economic renewal and recovery, the Arts Collaboration Network has 5 key requests for the First and Deputy First Ministers, the NI Executive and Department for Communities to ensure the sector can make its contribution in 2021 and beyond:

For the full document please download the PDF below

Arts Collaboration Network Culture Beyond Covid Jan 2021 FINAL (1)

Job/part-time

Equality and Access Lead

University of Atypical

Closing: We have extended the closing date to Friday 1st January 2021

Salary:  £14,818 annually, for 20 hours per week (£30,507 for full-time equivalent)

Location: Belfast

Information – Equality and Access Lead

The University of Atypical (UofA) is a disabled-led development charity working towards cultural equity for disabled/deaf people. It is a catalyst for the empowerment of disabled/deaf people in the arts. Working across the whole spectrum of disability.  We are seeking a Equality and Access Lead to oversee the redesign and relaunch of the equality Charter scheme, to manage the IDA awards programme for D/deaf and Disabled Artists, our research hub, and coordinate our service user forum and newsletter.

This position is part time (20 hours) fixed term for 3 year (then subject to funding).

Salary: £14,818 annually, for 20 hours per week (£30,507 for full-time equivalent)

Based in Belfast

• Third level qualification in a relevant discipline e.g.  Arts Management, though demonstrable transferable skills from other disciplines will be considered
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a relevant field e.g. research and information distribution, quality assurance, managing and supporting a membership base, learning and development, disability right and campaigning.  Experience gained in organisations or working with organisations which demonstrate excellent in Equality and Access will be prioritised
• Experience in recruitment, induction, support and supervision of staff and volunteers
• knowledge and experience of the arts and cultural sector in NI. 
• Experience of administration systems and proficient in the use of IT and social media
• Experience in project management and delivering against outcomes
• Good awareness of the DDA and other equality legislation.
• Understand/ experience of Disability issues within arts and arts venues
• Good self-motivation and ability to motivate others.

Application Forms can be requested via e-mail from amy@universityofatypical.org

It should be noted that the criteria may be enhanced to facilitate short-listing. 

Closing date for completed applications  Friday 1st January 2021.

UofA operates a child protection and adults at risk policies.

AccessNI checks will be carried out before an appointment can be confirmed.

We are an equal opportunities employer

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION PACK 

Job/part-time

Creative Programmes and Participation Lead

University of Atypical

Closing: We have extended the closing date to Friday 1st January 2021

Salary:  £14,818 annually, for 20 hours per week (£30,507 for full-time equivalent)

Location: Belfast

Information – Equality and Access Lead

The University of Atypical (UofA) is a disabled-led development charity working towards cultural equity for disabled/D/deaf people. It is a catalyst for the empowerment of disabled/deaf people in the arts. Working across the whole spectrum of disability.  We are seeking a creative Programmes and Participation Lead to manage our creative programmes including, the Atypical Gallery, annual Bounce Arts Festival, Art and Biscuits, our education and Outreach programme and oversee our EU partnership projects. This role will hold responsibility for commissioning new work, recruiting artist and workshop leaders, planning annual arts activities and budget management

This position is part time (20 hours) fixed term for 3 year (then subject to funding).

Salary: £14,818 annually, for 20 hours per week (£30,507 for full-time equivalent)

Based in Belfast

• Third level qualification in a relevant discipline e.g.  Arts Management, though demonstrable transferable skills from other disciplines will be considered
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in curating, planning and managing creative programmes and participation activities. Experience gained in organisations or working with organisations which demonstrate excellent access and arts and disability programmes will be prioritised
• Experience of recruiting freelance staff, artists, tutors and performers
• knowledge and experience of the arts and cultural sector in NI. 
• Experience of administration systems and proficient in the use of IT and social media
• Proven experience in effective networking, building opportunities and partnerships
• Experience in project management and delivering against outcomes
• Proven experience in identifying and securing funding opportunities to support programming activities.
• Evidence of planning and organising skills
• Effective communication – particularly written, and presentation skills where access equipment/ personnel are provided

Application Forms can be requested via e-mail from amy@universityofatypical.org

It should be noted that the criteria may be enhanced to facilitate short-listing. 

Closing date for completed applications is  Friday 1st January 2021

UofA operates a child protection and adults at risk policies.

AccessNI checks will be carried out before an appointment can be confirmed.

We are an equal opportunities employer

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION PACK

Chief Executive Officer, University of Atypical

Closing: 4pm on Friday 23^rd of October 2020

This position is part time (24 hours) fixed term for 3 year (renewable subject to funding)

Salary: £25,646 per annum (£42,743 for full-time equivalent)

Based in Belfast

Following the recent passing of our friend, mentor and CEO Chris Ledger, University of Atypical is now recruiting for a professional, dynamic and transformational leader to oversee the future strategic development, growth and success of the organisation.

The University of Atypical (UofA) is a disabled-led development charity working towards cultural equity for disabled/deaf people. It is a catalyst for the empowerment of disabled/deaf people in the arts, working across the whole spectrum of disability. You will need to have a proven record of leadership and success with experience in working with the disabled and d/Deaf community and artists. Applications from applicants living with disability are particularly welcomed in line with the organisation’s constitutional aims.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

1. Third level qualification in a relevant discipline e.g. Arts Management, though demonstrable transferable skills from other disciplines will be considered
2. Minimum of 5 years management experience in a leadership or senior management role with responsibility for financial management
3. Experience of high-level decision making on policies and strategic plans
4. Extensive experience of facilitating a Board of Trustees and keeping Trustees informed of key business activities
5. Proven ability to develop, gain approval for and implement operational / business and strategic plans
6. Experience of developing an organisation’s culture and overall vision, creating a positive work environment promoting excellence, enhancing staff morale, and performance
7. Extensive experience of identifying and securing funding opportunities to support programming activities and organisation development
8. Extensive knowledge and experience of the arts and cultural sector in NI. Experience gained in organisations which demonstrate excellent access and arts and disability programmes will be prioritised

For further details on the criteria, please request a recruitment pack and application form via e-mail from: administration@universityofatypical.org

It should be noted that the criteria may be enhanced to facilitate short-listing.

Completed application forms and monitoring forms (submitted by post or email) must be returned no later than 4pm on Friday 23rd of October 2020.

Completed applications being returned by email should be sent to administration@universityofatypical.org Interviews will take place on Friday 13th of November 2020.

UofA operates safeguarding policies for Children and Young People and Adults at Risk of Harm and Abuse.

AccessNI checks will be carried out before an appointment can be confirmed.

We are an equal opportunities employer.