A significant cash injection aims to transform cultural venues across West Yorkshire, making the arts more accessible for disabled artists and audiences alike, Mayor Tracy Brabin announced today.

Seventeen arts and culture organisations across the region have been awarded a share of £230,000.

The funding is earmarked for practical, high-impact improvements ranging from new sensory-friendly spaces and accessible signage to essential infrastructure upgrades like ramps, automated doors, and accessible toilets.

This financial boost forms a key pillar of a wider accessibility programme managed by Unlimited, a disabled-led organisation, and is financed through the Mayor’s £4.2 million You Can Make It Here programme, which is designed to support and grow the region’s creative sector.

Investing in Inclusivity

Beyond the capital grants, the programme takes a holistic approach to inclusion.

It offers training, guidance, and ongoing support to assist cultural organisations in improving disability equality. The goal is to create genuinely inclusive experiences for disabled artists, audiences, and participants, ensuring the region’s cultural output is open to all.

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.”

“True Access Goes Beyond Physical Changes”

The successful recipients of the funding were not chosen by a standard committee but were selected by two panels of West Yorkshire-based, disabled creative professionals.

These panellists utilised their own lived experience to identify the improvements that would deliver the greatest tangible impact.

This latest round of awards builds upon a successful pilot scheme launched last year, which saw £60,000 awarded to eight cultural venues.

This brings the total support provided across the programme to £290,000.

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.”

Future Funding Now Open

For organisations that missed out on this round, the opportunity is not over.

A third round of grants to support accessibility improvements has officially opened for expressions of interest today (8 January 2026).

Venues and community spaces looking to improve their accessibility have until 28 January 2026 to apply.

• Total invested so far: £290,000

• Current round awards: £230,000 shared among 17 organisations

• Next deadline: 28 January 2026

To find out more about the programme or to apply for the next round of funding, visit the Unlimited Accessibility Programme website.