Well we're off! Today was the launch of our first Cultural Olympiad Major Project, 'Artists taking the lead', and it's safe to say that this morning's launch has set the benchmark for the rest of the projects to come. It was brilliant to see such fantasti
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 show case to the world the amazing artistic talent that exists all over the country.
With £5.4 million to spend on creating art that reflects each nation and region in the UK, there was a real feeling that the first major project to launch is beginning the journey of involving and exciting the arts world and the public in the lead up to 2012. The room was buzzing as artists such as Jason Bruges and Nitin Sawhney mingled with arts council representatives, journalists and our very own Culture team to celebrate 'Artists taking the lead' opening for proposals. With the short list scheduled to be drawn up at the beginning of the summer, I can't wait to see where the next step in this project takes us!
