Investment helps boost accessibility in cultural venues across West Yorkshire

Disabled artists and audiences are set to benefit from new investment to improve accessibility in creative and cultural venues across West Yorkshire, Mayor Tracy Brabin has announced today (8 January).

17 organisations have been awarded a share of £230,000 to deliver practical accessibility improvements, including sensory-friendly spaces, accessible signage, ramps, doors and toilets.

The funding forms part of a wider accessibility programme run by disabled-led organisation Unlimited and is funded through the Mayor's £4.2 million You Can Make It Here programme, designed to support and grow the region's creative sector.

Alongside the grants, the accessibility programme offers training, guidance and ongoing support to help cultural organisations improve disability equality and create more inclusive experiences for disabled artists, audiences and participants.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

“Everyone should be able to access West Yorkshire's world-class culture and creativity.

“The funding awarded today will help break down barriers for disabled people, enabling venues to open their doors to more artists and audiences.

“By transforming spaces in this way, we're helping businesses and creatives thrive in a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”

Jo Verrent, Director at Unlimited, said:

“True access goes beyond physical changes – it's about understanding, confidence and culture.

"This programme supports organisations to make meaningful, lasting improvements, shaped by disabled people's lived experience. We've seen incredible progress from the first two rounds, but so many more venues could benefit.

“If you're running a cultural venue or community space in West Yorkshire and ready to make real changes for disabled artists and audiences, submit a simple expression of interest by 28 January.”

The successful recipients were selected by two panels of West Yorkshire-based, disabled creative professionals, who used their lived experience to identify improvements that would have the greatest impact for disabled artists, audiences and participants.

The latest awards build on a successful pilot last year, which saw £60,000 awarded to eight cultural venues across the region, bringing the total funded support across the programme to £290,000.

A third round of grants to support accessibility improvements opens for expressions of interest today (8 January 2026), with a deadline of 28 January 2026.

To find out more, visit: https://weareunlimited.org.uk/our-work/projects/accessibility-programme/

Notes to editors

The latest recipient organisations and projects are:

• Yorkshire Dance, Leeds - Improving accessibility with modern toilet conversions, comfortable seating options, and enhanced quiet spaces for all building users.

• The Art House, Wakefield - Installing smart doors and sensory-friendly lift upgrades to ensure independent, safe access throughout the building for disabled users. 

• Chol Theatre, Kirklees - Upgrading their mobile touring venue to remove access barriers for communities across Kirklees.

• National Science and Media Museum, Bradford - Adding audio description, closed captions, and hearing-impaired audio technology to make cinema experiences inclusive.

• MAFWA Theatre CIC, Leeds - Upgrading equipment and spaces for community theatre groups serving refugee, asylum seeker, and settled communities in Leeds. 

• Everybody Arts, Calderdale - Installing accessible pottery equipment, ramps, and parking to open up ceramics workshops to more people. 

• The Clay Mill, Kirklees - Purchasing a front-loading kiln ensuring all artists can independently manage their ceramic work. 

• Experience Community CIC, Kirklees - Combining accessible cycling with outdoor sketching workshops along the improved Huddersfield Narrow Canal towpath. 

• 1in12 Club, Bradford - Improving air quality, access routes, and sensory features with HEPA filters, induction loops, and accessible signage at this queer volunteer-run space.

• Arts Charity at Dean Clough, Calderdale - Installing accessible, gender-neutral toilets in partnership with Calderdale College as part of the Toilet Accessibility Project.

• BENT Collective, Leeds - Transforming their new venue The Nests with sensory-friendly lighting, portable ramps, air purifiers, and accessible water stations for neurodiverse and trans communities.

• East Leeds Project, Leeds - Installing automatic front doors and clear accessible signage at the Henry Barran Community Centre for disabled and neurodivergent visitors.

• Interplay Theatre, Leeds - Improving sensory experiences with noise-dampening curtains and quiet spaces while upgrading facilities with a changing table for disabled young people.

• National Coal Mining Museum for England, Wakefield - Upgrading accessible toilet facilities into a Space to Change to better serve disabled visitors.

• Polite Rebellion, Leeds - Creating a dedicated sleep space at The Nests for artists living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, setting new accessibility standards.

• Spotlight CIO, Calderdale - Creating flexible, sensory-friendly spaces with portable accessibility equipment and assistive technology to remove barriers for participants.

• The Underground, Bradford - Installing a stage scissor-lift, refurbishing gender-neutral toilets, and creating a sensory space at this Bradford music venue.

The accessibility programme is funded through the Mayor's £4.2 million ‘You Can Make It Here' support package for the creative industries. Other ‘You Can Make It Here' initiatives include opportunities for young people to boost their skills and progress into creative roles, while businesses and freelancers benefit from investment, export advice and specialist training to unleash their potential. For more information, visit: Creative services – Business support.

Unlimited is delivering the Accessibility Programme on behalf of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The programme includes small capital grants and ongoing support to help cultural organisations create more inclusive experiences for disabled artists and audiences.

About Unlimited

Unlimited is an arts commissioning body that supports, funds and promotes new work by disabled artists for UK and international audiences. Our mission is to commission extraordinary work from disabled artists that will change and challenge the world.

Unlimited is funded by Arts Council England, Arts Council of Wales, British Council, Creative Scotland and Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

Since 2013, Unlimited has supported over 538 artists with over £7.1 million, reaching audiences of over 9 million, making it the largest supporter of disabled artists world-wide.

Connect with us: weareunlimited.org.uk