London 2012 blog

Can we help the growing creative industries fulfill their potential through hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games?

There seems to be a natural fit between the work of companies from the street arts, circus and carnival sectors and the desire to have strong visual and performance presence around the Games.

LOCOG are examining whether these types of companies would want to use other areas of the park as rehearsal and public performance spaces in the future, contributing to the character of the park post-2012 and, perhaps, resulting in the creation of a national centre of excellence in these sectors.

We’re currently researching a range of options that might offer cultural (and associated) legacies in the Olympic Park after the 2012 games.

One such is a “Creation Space” to take over one of the buildings (or part of a building) on the site after the Games itself to be used as production and rehearsal space.

We’re testing whether such a facility could offer flexible, low cost, working space (both indoor and outdoor) for the growing creative industries in the areas of street theatre, contemporary circus, carnival skills and associated public art and whether or not there is demand from those companies for such facilities.

Having worked and managed a number of large outdoor shows such as the Sultan's Elephant and The Queen's Jubilee Parades, we are vitally aware of what creative companies seek from their working and rehearsal spaces.

Our study will point to the possible benefits for artists, audiences, current and future businesses and the wider cultural sector.

A further possibility is to associate a vocational educational and training facility with the creation space to nurture skills and further develop the range of opportunities for local people.

Before the summer we will have thoroughly tested the proposition. Our final report will be a robust analysis of the total benefits of such a proposal. We'll put forward a draft business and operational plan; identify partners and potential links to higher education and other associated sectors.

It is interesting to note that many of the companies to be interviewed feel strongly that they have a role to play in the Cultural Olympiad in 2012 itself.

Can we assist in fulfilling their potential post 2012? We can make no promises but we hope to find that the nature of the spaces left after the Games are indeed suitable for leaving a vibrant cultural legacy as well as sporting one.