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Major new work to be created for Northern Ireland as Artists take the lead in new £5.4m competition for the Cultural Olympiad
Artists of all kinds from across the UK and Northern Ireland are being challenged to use the nation as a blank canvas for twelve inspirational commissions that will showcase our creativity to the world, as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
Artists taking the lead is the most ambitious and wide ranging art prize in the UK and is being developed by Arts Council England, in partnership with London 2012 and the arts councils of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
12 commissions of up to £500,000* will be awarded to create 12 new works of art across the country; one in each of the nine English regions, and in the nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. (*See below for the value of commissions offered in each Nation and Region)
Artists taking the lead is the first of ten major projects of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad to be launched. It provides artists across the country with an unparalleled opportunity to create work that celebrates the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and reflects the rich cultural diversity of the UK.
Noirin McKinney, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland commented: "Artists Taking the Lead offers a once in a lifetime opportunity for artists living in Northern Ireland to become part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Open to all art forms, it is a unique opportunity for art to be created in unexpected ways and in unexpected places. Importantly, it will provide a national stage for showcasing our excellence and provide a lasting legacy to the Games here in Northern Ireland.”
Damian Gorman, Playwright and member of the Northern Ireland judging panel said: “I believe in art work, I believe in it most when it is part of the bigger picture, the larger life. Artists Taking the Lead is a big picture, and I’m sure that Northern Ireland’s contribution to it will arrest the eye. What I’m looking forward to about the judging process is being in the company of other artists and their work.”
From 19 March, until Friday 29 May 2009, artists can submit their ideas for the commissions online at www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk.
London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe commented: “The Cultural Olympiad harks back to the beginnings of the modern Olympic movement, when artists as well as athletes competed for medals. Artists taking the lead invokes this spirit, celebrating the unique talents of our artists and giving them the opportunity to create work inspired by London 2012 and the Olympic spirit. This is the first step in what promises to be a fascinating journey to 2012 as our plans for the Games in 2012 – both sporting and cultural – really begin to take shape.”
Gregory Campbell, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure said: "We have a wealth of artistic talent here and it is important that Northern Ireland takes it place among other nations and regions of the UK to showcase the quality of our work.
"This is another step along the way to Northern Ireland benefitting from the London 2012 Games and leaving a lasting legacy of participation and engagement."
The submitted ideas will be judged by panels in each of the nations and regions, made up of artists, the Creative Programmers (representatives of London 2012 outside the capital who help to shape the UK-wide cultural Olympiad), and an Arts Council representative.
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 taking the lead is one of the ten major projects of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. Arts Council England is managing the project on behalf of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Scottish Arts Council and the Arts Council of Wales.
Twelve commissions will be awarded, one in each of the English regions, and the Nations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The value of the commissions awarded to the chosen artists will be:
Nine English regions £500,000 each
Northern Ireland £190,000
Scotland £460,000
Wales £230,000
For further information see www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk
Show latest news, more from April 2009.
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