The Cultural Olympiad

Briefing for Merton Cultural Partners

30 January 2008

PURPOSE

• Provide you with information and an update on the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad

• Bring Merton partners up to speed with south London developments

• Discuss south London plans to tie in with the handover ceremonies in 2008

• Get you to consider what you can do to mark the handover ceremonies and the start of the Cultural Olympiad

The Cultural Olympiad• Begins as soon as the Torch

is handed over in Beijing in 2008

• Finishes at the Paralympic Closing Ceremony in 2012

• Four years• No official structure laid down

by the IOC• Has the potential to reach

more people than all the other aspects of the Olympics

The Cultural Olympiad

Includes:• The Opening and Closing

Ceremonies• The Torch Relay• Design of the buildings

and Olympic Park• Public arts• Events during the Games

themselves• Education programmes

promoting the Olympic values

Cultural Olympiad

London is organising into three tiers:

• Tier 1 – mandatory ceremonies

• Tier 2 – major bid projects

• Tier 3 - UK Cultural festival

London 2012 Vision for Culture, Ceremonies & Education

“To stage inspiring ceremonies and events and to embed the Culture and Education programmes in the development and delivery of the Olympic and Paralympic Games”

National culture team aims

• Astonishing opening and closing ceremonies • Cultural, ceremonial and educational programmes

reflecting the creative strength of the UK; • Opportunities for creative communities across the

UK to participate in the delivery of a UK-wide range of activities; new and lasting connections internationally through the international journey of the Olympic FriendShip and the London 2012 Torch Relay;

• New and lasting networks locally and nationally that improve access, communication and participation at all levels.

Tier 1:

• The handover ceremonies in Beijing, 24 August and 17 September 2008

• The London opening and closing ceremonies

• Medal ceremonies

• The Torch Relay

Tier 2:Major bid events

The FriendShip (from 2008)

• World Fair (2012)• World Youth Festival• 5 Rings Olympic

Museum• Olympic Carnival

Tier 2: mentioned in the bid

• One Planet Education Programme

• World Festival of Youth Culture• Olympic Carnival• World Cultural Festival• Live Sites• Artists Taking the Lead• Film & Video Nation• International Exhibitions

Programme• International Music Programme• Young Ambassadors• Signature Events

Tier 3 - UK Cultural Festival

Devolved Programme• Developing planned activity• Small and large scale• Regional, local or sector focus

LOCOG role to add value by:• Providing framework & criteria• Information gathering• Co-ordination

The Cultural Olympiad – Quick re-cap

• Has the potential to reach more people than all the other aspects of the Olympics

• South London must play an active part

• Consulted interested parties

• Generated ideas

GO SOUTH GO CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Go South Go

South London’s response to London winning the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games

Go-South-Go Cultural Festival• Sub regional

name• Met wide range

of partners• Steering Group• Young People’s

Board• Action Plan

Vision and principles

VISION

By 2013 we will have involved more than half of south Londoners in culture and arts activities, leaving a lasting legacy of participation, enhanced audiences, successful artists and a celebration of south London’s diversity

SCOPE

Visual and performing arts

Heritage and museums

The built environment and open space

Libraries and literature

New media, film

Food and celebrations

Music

Principles

• Inclusivity• Celebration of diversity• Excitement and fun• Inspiration• Pride• Quality• Building links• Practical and achievable

Go-South-Go Cultural Festival

Includes:

• Contribution to national Cultural Olympiad

• Existing local activity• New local activity• Existing sub-regional

activity• New sub-regional activity• “Something

wonderful”

GSG Festival 2008

Core Themes:

• Young people and children

• Celebration of diversity/internationalism

• Carnival - large events and festivals; street activity

International Links

• Friends, family, faith and cultural links

• Communities with a large representation.

• Civic links• Pre Games Training

Camps• International Trade

Young People - Pledge

“Every young person in South London should be given the opportunity to compete, create or collaborate in Olympic and Paralympic Games activity, including an international link with young people in other parts of the world.”

GSG Festival - 2008

• Events and festivals brochure

Go South GoFestival• Support borough activity

• Publicity and profile:– Festivals and events brochure

• Major community events – culminating on 17 September

• Broker collaborations

• Possibly some Go South Go delivered events on 17 September

Key dates for 2008

24 August

- Olympic Handover

17 September

- Paralympic Handover

17 September

• Simple, strong idea that will offer something to all south London residents and employers

• See something, Hear something, Taste something

See something

• At transport interchanges

• In district centres

• Major event in the evening (depending on LDA funding)

Hear something

• Church Bells at 3pm

• Primary school drumming at 3pm

• Older pupils and students performing in public places/district centres/stations

Taste Something

• Take food into work for colleagues

• Mass tea party at 3pm!

8am

12 noon

3pm

Evening

HEAR SOMETHING

SE

E S

OM

ET

HIN

G

TA

ST

E S

OM

ET

HIN

G

What will we do in Merton?• Build on an existing

event – 24th August

• Merton Abbeyfest

• Work with local arts groups / artists to find the best local fit to mark the occasion

What will we do in Merton?• Sub regional activity –

large celebration on 17 September

• Borough activity – disability sporting event / activity with partners

• Work with schools, arts providers to mark this occasion

• Possible theatre production Baked Bean Theatre Group

Over to you

• What could you and/or your organisation do to mark the two handover dates in 2008?

• With who would you like to collaborate?

• What could we encourage all Merton residents to do ?