Calling all artists in Scotland to compete for Olympic prize

There are just two weeks left for artists of all kinds to submit their ideas for Artists taking the lead – a major arts commission for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

For Artists taking the lead, the Scottish Arts Council has teamed up with the arts councils of England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is working in partnership with London 2012 to deliver the most ambitious and wide ranging art commission in the UK.

The Scottish Arts Council has invested £500,000 of National Lottery funds to support one art commission in Scotland and we are asking artists to submit their big ideas in just 400 words on the website – www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk - to enter the race for one of the 12 commissions.

Ideas have been submitted spanning a range of art forms from theatrical events and performances to sculptures, musical compositions and installations and with only two weeks to go until the deadline of 29 May the clock is ticking!

The idea does not have to be sport themed and can take any art form. The best and most inspirational projects from each nation or region will then be shortlisted and a selected idea will be chosen for Scotland along with each of the nine English regions, Wales and Northern Ireland, forming a spectacular creative celebration of the London 2012 Games across the UK.

Artists have until Friday 29 May 2009 to submit their ideas online at www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk

Jim Tough, Chief Executive, Scottish Arts Council said: ‘The Olympics and the Commonwealth Games are an opportunity for the whole of the UK to welcome the world and our culture and arts have an important role to play in ensuring their success.  Artists Taking the Lead is a unique opportunity for artists in Scotland to play their part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games and create an artwork for the public of which we can all enjoy and be proud.’

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.’

Michael Russell Minister for Culture added: “Artists taking the lead is an imaginative project which encourages Scottish artists to engage in the true spirit of the Olympic movement and offers the opportunity to create work that celebrates and showcases Scotland’s rich and diverse cultural life at home and to an international audience.  Meanwhile our own plans to create a lasting legacy from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will benefit the whole of Scotland for generations to come. Our vision is of a legacy which will help people live longer, healthier lives, in strong, supportive communities, valuing and protecting the built and natural environment, with new and better skills development, employment and volunteering opportunities.”

Notes to editors

1. 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.
   
2. Twelve commissions will be awarded, one in each of the English regions, and the Nations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
   
3. 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
     
4. There is also additional funding for development of shortlisted ideas
   
5. 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.
   
6. Shortlisted artists will be announced in late summer 2009, and the final twelve commissions in October 2009. The successful commissions will be developed across 2010 and 2011, and all twelve artists will take part in a final unifying celebration before the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
   
7. The Scottish Arts Council is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) which was established by Royal Charter in 1994 and is also a Lottery distributor. The organisation serves the people of Scotland by fostering arts of excellence through investment, development, research and advocacy. Our corporate aims are: to support artists to fulfil their creative and business potential; to increase participation in the arts; and to place the arts, culture and creativity at the heart of learning. We invest £60m each year, including £15 million of National Lottery funding.
8. For further information see www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk

Contact email(s)

media.office@scottisharts.org.uk

Issued by: Scottish Arts Council