The University of Atypical today launched The Chris Ledger Legacy Awards in memory of its much-loved former CEO who died a year ago.
The Awards, which have been funded by Unlimited and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, recognise the major contribution Chris made to the arts and cultural sector in Northern Ireland and especially her many initiatives to support d/Deaf, disabled, and Neurodiverse artists.
Chris Ledger Legacy Awards
The grant scheme offers four awards of £5,000 each to support artists to continue with their practice and create new work. The Chris Ledger Awards are open to creative practitioners from all artforms.
Damien Coyle, CEO, University of Atypical described Chris as a powerhouse who worked tirelessly to advance the careers of artists: “Chris’s loss is felt across the sector as she was a real force in the arts and cultural sector here and she was a true friend and inspiration to many people. The awards are a fitting tribute to her achievements and is welcomed by all those she supported. This support underpins the developmental role University of Atypical plays in promoting the work created by d/Deaf, Disabled and Neurodiverse Artists and in facilitating career enhancement opportunities.”
Chris Ledger was originally from Lancashire in the north west of England. She worked in film production, running a multi-media company before coming to live in Northern Ireland. She worked initially with the Tourist Board and Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure before becoming Disability Arts Development Officer at the Arts Council in 2004. In 2009 Chris joined the Arts and Disability Forum as Chief Executive and under her leadership it evolved to become the University of Atypical in 2019.
During Chris’s leadership, D/deaf and disabled arts and culture was mainstreamed to a degree never seen before on these shores or elsewhere. Chris had been receiving treatment for cancer, something she approached with the same energy and determination as her work. She had planned to marry her partner Louise in Bangor Castle, but this had to be cancelled as her health deteriorated. Instead Chris and Louise married in an emotional ceremony in the Ulster Hospital just a few days before Chris passed away. Chris will be remembered for her compassion, intelligence, humour, her determination to make a difference and as a passionate advocate of the rights of disabled and D/deaf people.
Jo Verrent, senior producer at Unlimited, recalled working with Chris, at disability-led arts organisation, East Midlands Shape, based in Nottingham: “We worked together for over five years, building projects and systems, supporting disabled artists, and working with arts organisations across the East Midlands to try and make change. She was strong minded, witty and a pleasure to work alongside. I remember her quiet joy every time we gained support for a project or an artist, as she thought through the real and tangible difference it would make to their lives. These awards would make her smile – they do what she always wanted to do – get money to disabled artists so they can make work and continue to have sustainable artistic careers.”
The Chris Ledger Legacy Awards opened on Monday, August 9 and will close at 4pm on Friday, October 12. The University of Atypical will provide advice clinics to assist applicants with the application process from Tuesday, August 10 to Friday, October 1. Award recipients will be notified by Monday, October 25.
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/
