- New Liberty fund for projects by the capital’s D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists
- Artists and organisations to get the chance to feature in the opening event of Lewisham’s London Borough of Culture in 2022
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced a new fund for arts projects and digital programmes by the capital’s D/deaf and disabled artists and organisations, which will be included in the opening event of Lewisham’s London Borough of Culture in 2022.
Since 2019, Liberty, which celebrates D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists, has developed into a touring festival, taking their art to local communities in outer boroughs, and has been embedded into Sadiq’s flagship programme, London Borough of Culture.
This year, the Mayor is investing £70,000 to support artists and organisations working with D/deaf and disabled artists. City Hall is offering grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 for arts projects taking place outdoors, in indoor spaces, and digitally. Successful bidders will also get to feature their work as part of the opening event of Lewisham’s London Borough of Culture programme in January 2022.
This new fund continues the Mayor’s commitment to celebrate D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists showcasing and commissioning new outdoor arts and performance works in London. Applications are invited from artists to create work for a wide range of formats, including events, performances, exhibitions, talks, walks, workshops and installation projects.
Applications are welcomed from now until 30 June 2021. Further information is available in a variety of accessible formats.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said “Our disability arts sector is made up of outstanding talents and organisations committed to redefining access and inclusivity. Unfortunately, the effects of the coronavirus pandemic have placed additional challenges on our D/deaf, neurodiverse and disabled arts. That’s why I am investing in our artists to help unleash their creativity and give them the platform to showcase their skills in next year’s London Borough of Culture in Lewisham.”
Linda Rocco, Liberty Creative Producer, said "These grants are a fantastic opportunity to support the capital’s D/deaf disabled and neurodivergent artists. This open call is for artists who push boundaries, bring quality, innovation and ambition to their work and who want to challenge perceptions of how culture can be performed and experienced for the widest range of audiences. While we cannot currently celebrate together, I am looking forward to the time when audiences will be reconnected to Liberty and be able to enjoy the wonderful diversity of creative ideas generated through this funding opportunity. The London and UK disability arts sector is a one-of-a-kind workforce recognised worldwide.”
Notes to editors
For more information about Liberty grants visit https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/arts-and-culture/liberty-open-call-rd-grants-ddeaf-and-disabled-artists
Liberty
Liberty is the Mayor of London’s flagship festival of high-quality work by D/deaf and disabled artists. The annual free festival offers an inclusive, accessible cultural experience for everyone. It has been presented by the Mayor of London since 2003 in high profile locations including Trafalgar Square, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Southbank Centre.
Following the cancellation of the Festival in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19, Liberty 2022 will complement Lewisham’s exciting programme of events as part of their London Borough of Culture 2022.
Lewisham is London Borough of Culture 2022
Their year-long programme, Cultural Activism, will harness the passion and creativity of the borough’s cultural sector to deliver lasting change on issues that matter to the people of Lewisham, London and the world:
• We will protect this place we love – a call to action on climate change
• We are strengthened by our diversity – a celebration of our borough of sanctuary
• We will be happy here – a commitment to building an inclusive society
• We are Lewisham – working together to deliver change
With events inspired by the Rock Against Racism movement, a mass dance and a climate change carnival, the year will celebrate Lewisham’s rich history of change-making, challenge the status quo and give voice to diverse and marginalised communities.
London Borough of Culture
London Borough of Culture is a major initiative launched by the Mayor of London in June 2017 and inspired by the UK City and European Capital of Culture programmes. The award is designed to put culture at the heart of local communities, where it belongs. It shines a light on the character and diversity of London’s boroughs and brings culture to everyone, so that all Londoners have the chance to be part of something extraordinary.
Lewisham is the next London Borough of Culture in 2022, with Croydon holding the title in 2023.
The winning boroughs are chosen based on their artistic vision and ambition to deliver outstanding cultural initiatives in their local area, putting communities at the centre of the programme design and delivery. The successful boroughs have demonstrated how winning the title will enable them to deliver their long-term ambitions, put local people at the heart of the programme, and showcase a diverse, vibrant and inclusive programme of work.
In 2020, Brent presented high profile COVID-safe cultural events and activities throughout the year exploring the spirit and creativity of the borough when it needed it most, with hundreds of residents taking a leading role in shaping the programme. Grassroots creativity was at the heart of a year that included a digital music festival and visual arts programme amongst others, all of which empowered young people and invested in local artists to support the cultural eco-system of the borough.
Waltham Forest was the Mayor's first ever London Borough of Culture in 2019. From music festivals and garden parties, to busking in shop windows and human libraries, 2019 was a celebration of the communities of Waltham Forest. Their programme carried with it a profound sense of community ownership - involving all 88 schools in the borough, recruiting over 1000 volunteers and delivering over 1000 events, activities and workshops in every corner of the borough.
Linda Rocco
Linda Rocco is a London-based contemporary art curator, consultant and PhD researcher at the Royal College of Art with a LAHP/AHRC doctoral award. She has curated public events and exhibitions internationally with established small-scale institutions such as Delfina Foundation, to warehouse spaces such as Yinka Shonibare’s Studio Guest Projects including the curation of the public sphere for Nine Elms on the South Bank. Linda is the co-founder and director of ‘I’m Here, Where Are You?’ a disability arts festival and engagement programme co-produced with Cambridge Junction.
Linda also co-directs the not-for-profit organisation _inventory Platform which engages communities in urban and rural contexts through socially engaged art projects since 2016.
Linda regularly works as curator for artists and private galleries, as well as consulting for charities, foundations and public institutions on accessible and socially engaged arts; collaboration with STEM subjects as well as participatory and intermedia practices.
Recent collaborations include: Goethe Institute London, Danish Art Foundation, Ministry of Culture Taiwan, Pineapple Lab. – Philippines, Yinka Shonibare Foundation, Frieze Art Fair London, Cambridge Junction, Unlimited, UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, Mansions of the Future, Laure Genillard Gallery – London.