FAQs

What is UNBOXED ?

UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of creativity – one of the most ambitious showcases of creative collaboration ever staged in the UK. It’s taking place across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and online in 2022.

The landmark programme features 10 very different creative projects, all made for UNBOXED – and includes hundreds of events, experiences and activities, both live and online. Every event in our programme is free.

Who is involved in UNBOXED?

UNBOXED’s 10 major projects are being created by some of the brightest minds in science, technology, engineering, arts and maths. It brings together an astonishing variety of people all over the UK: from scientists to musicians, designers to technologists, engineers to writers, architects to astrophysicists.

UNBOXED is being delivered by a team based in Birmingham.

UNBOXED is funded and supported by the four governments of the UK and is co-commissioned with Belfast City Council, Creative Wales and EventScotland.

What are UNBOXED's 10 creative projects?

You can find out more about each project and the teams behind them on our project pages:

About Us, Dandelion, Dreamachine, GALWAD, Green Space Dark Skies, Our Place in Space, PoliNations, SEE MONSTER, StoryTrails, Tour de Moon

Where and when is it taking place?

UNBOXED runs from 1 March to 2 October 2022.

UNBOXED events, activities and installations are taking place at locations throughout the UK – from the Outer Hebrides to Luton, and from Omagh to Swansea. You’ll also be able to experience and enjoy UNBOXED online, and on TV and radio.

We announced our 10 extraordinary commissions in October 2021. To keep up-to-date with what's happening, sign up to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram and Twitter

How much will it cost to attend and how can I get tickets?

All UNBOXED events and activities are free.

You’ll need to book free places for some events and activities. We will publish information about events with further details available on each project website.

Who is UNBOXED for?

Everyone! UNBOXED features a huge variety of events, activities and experiences, both live and online, for people of all ages, backgrounds and interests.

Can schools, colleges and universities take part?

Absolutely. Our learning and participation programme is designed to reach hundreds of thousands of school children and young people across the UK. To keep up-to-date with what's happening, sign up to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram and Twitter

How did you choose the 10 projects?

We launched an open call for ideas in 2020. We received 299 submissions, involving around 3,000 organisations, freelancers and other creatives to take part in our research and development (R&D) programme.

In November 2020, 30 creative teams were shortlisted by representatives of the festival team and the delivery bodies for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, with input from a group of creative advisors, to take part in the funded R&D project. The rigorous selection process saw 10 teams being commissioned to realise their project ideas in March 2021; six UK-wide teams, plus one each for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.