Artists Taking the Lead for 2012

Major new work to be created for Scotland as Artists take the lead in new £5.4m competition for the Cultural Olympiad

Artists from a range of disciplines from across the UK 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.

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 our National Lottery funds to support an art commission which will be one of 12 across the UK; one in each of the nine English regions, and in the nations Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as Scotland.

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.

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 of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and create a artwork for the public of which we can all enjoy and be proud.’

From today,19 March, until Friday 29 May 2009, artists can submit their ideas for the commissions online at www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk/scotland.

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.”

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.

Shortlisted artists will be announced in July 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.

For further information see www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk.

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

There is also additional funding for development of shortlisted ideas

4. For further information see www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk

5. 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.

Contact email(s)

media.office@scottisharts.org.uk

Issued by: Scottish Arts Council