Cultural programmes are an essential element of the 2012 Games

Cultural & creative sector

The London Development Agency (LDA) is supporting the Cultural Olympiad and developing a Cultural Legacy Programme to:

  • Enable London's people and businesses to access socio-economic opportunities in the creative and cultural sectors in the lead up to, during, and after the Games

  • Position culture to play an important role in the delivery of a sustainable regeneration legacy in the Olympic Park and Lower Lea Valley

The LDA is working closely with internal and external stakeholders to work on project ideas and look at opportunities for maximising synergies with partner priorities and programmes, as well as develop the governance structure to enable the cultural and creative sector to play a full and active part in the Legacy Masterplan Framework and the development of the Lower Lea Valley Strategic Regeneration Framework.

Cultural Olympiad

The Cultural Olympiad is an essential element of the 2012 Games. Launched on September 26-28 with a huge range of inspirational programmes, it will celebrate diversity across the UK and worldwide through a range or events and activities.

The Cultural Olympiad will comprise three components:

1. Mandatory Ceremonies

  • Handover, medal, and opening and closing ceremonies
  • Team welcomes

  • Torch relays

2. Signature Projects

  • 2012 Sounds
  • Artists Taking the Lead
  • Extraordinary Ability (disability arts, culture and sport) 
  • Stories of the World
  • Film and Video Nation

  • World Festival of Youth Culture

3. UK Cultural Programme

  • Local and regional cultural events

  • A nationwide celebration over the four years from summer 2008 including events, exhibitions and community festivals 

For further information about the Cultural Olympiad, please click here.

Milestones

24 August - Handover from Beijing

  • London 2012 is hosting a celebratory event in the Mall and members of the public can apply for free tickets through www.london2012.com.

17 September - Paralympic Handover Day

  • The London 2012 education pack is available to schools and is packed with useful ideas about how to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to life for pupils. Please click here for further details.

Cultural Opportunity Fund

In March 2008, the Mayor of London announced the LDA Cultural Opportunity Fund, a £1.4million fund to be distributed over 18 months to assist in the delivery of a number of cultural projects.

The Arts Council has agreed to administer the fund and is working with the LDA on suitable processes and a prospectus. Grants of up to £50,000 will be awarded to each cultural project and will be distributed during three funding rounds beginning September 2008. The focus for projects will be their ability to engage communities in culture and the arts with a broad range of culture considered ranging from public art to food, fashion and heritage.

Please click here for further information about submission for funding.