Arts Council and London 2012 launch 'Artists Taking The Lead'

Posted: 20 March 2009

Artists encouraged to 'Take The Lead' in Cultural Olympiad - submit your ideas now!

In conjunction with the Arts Council, London 2012 has launched 'Artists taking the lead' - a £5.4 million commission programme encouraging Britain's artists to lead a creative celebration of the London 2012 Games across the UK.

They are challenging artists to 'use the nation as a blank canvas' and will be awarding 12 commissions of up to £500,000 - one for each region of England, and in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. It is being developed by Arts Council England, in partnership with London 2012 and the Arts Councils of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. There will be nine commissions in England and a further three, one each, in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Each new work will reflect the UK’s artistic vision and become a creative celebration of the London 2012 Games. Successful artists, who can submit ideas in any art form, will see their works displayed in iconic and unexpected locations throughout the UK, whether a hillside, beach or public space.

Moira Sinclair, the executive director of Arts Council England, London captured the excitement in the room during her speech, as she laid down the challenge for artists to come up with some creative proposals that will capture the imagination of the public across the UK and showcase to the world the amazing artistic talent that exists all over the country.  'Artists taking the lead' illustrates that bigger, bolder vision – of art inspiring people up and down the UK to celebrate the Games, of nurturing and developing our artistic talent, and of culture and creativity at the heart of our national life. ‘We’re excited to be laying down such a unique challenge to artists. We want them to look at their region and their connections with fresh eyes, to mark a moment in our histories in unexpected ways and places across the country, to surprise and delight the world with their extraordinary artistic vision.’

Arts Council England expects to announce the shortlisted artists in July 2009, and the final twelve commissions in October 2009. The successful commissions will be developed across 2010 and 2011, and all twelve will take part in a final unifying celebration before the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Artists can submit their ideas for the commissions online at www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk from 19 March

Deadline for submissions: 29 May 2009.

W:  www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk/