22nd July 2010 / AGENDA ITEM 9
BLACKPOOL’S CULTURAL OLYMPIAD
1.0 Matter for consideration
1.1 The Committee to consider the developing Cultural Olympiad programme for Blackpool.
2.0 Recommendation(s)
2.1 To note the report, asking questions in relation to its content and making recommendations as considered appropriate.
3.0 Summary of key issues
3.1 A key part of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics is the creation of a Cultural Olympiad, which honours and shares the values of the Games and uses culture to:
· encourage active participation in culture and sport;
· celebrate cultural diversity and internationalism;
· create innovative collaborations between communities and the cultural sector;
· enhance the learning, skills and personal development of young people; and
· create a positive legacy.
3.2 Blackpool Council is keen to use the Cultural Olympiad to attract visitors to the town, to draw in new investment and to create links with the Blackpool Olympics programme, for example, through showcasing cultural activities at Olympics-related sporting events.
3.3 A working group has been established bringing together officers from Places Directorate (Cultural Services, Visit Blackpool, and Illuminations), Children, Adult and Family Services, and Blackpool Services. This group will oversee the development of the programme and link to a strategic group which oversees the Olympics programme (and includes organisations such as the NHS and Blackpool Football Club).
3.4 The Cultural Olympiad programme currently consists of the following:
i) BLAZE
Blaze is the centrepiece of the Blackpool cultural Olympiad programme. It is an ambitious youth-led culture and sport programme for Lancashire, Blackpool and the Fylde Coast that is part of WE PLAY, the North West cultural legacy programme. The programme targets young people between the ages of 11 and 19 years and is funded by Blackpool and Lancashire Councils, the Legacy trust and the Arts Council of England. The programme has raised £555k to date for high quality arts, sport and technology activities. There are three Blackpool-based projects to date:
· Blaze Identity: Young people from Blackpool worked with design company, Wash, to develop the name, logo and brand identity for Blaze.
· Spin: Artists Lisa Roberts and Daniel Blackburn are working with young people to design Persistence of Vision (POV) lighting displays for 50 bikes to create a stunning visual display, called SPIN, for Ride the Lights. Persistence of Vision displays use a sequence of flickering lights and motion to trick the eye into seeing a complete image or sequence of images. Each device is about the size of a large matchbox and can fit directly onto the spokes of a bike. The Blackpool young producers began as a group of young people who completed their Bronze Arts Award through Blackpool Arts Service. The group has a range of interests, from fashion to photography, visual arts to performance and music. They meet regularly at Blackpool Library and some of them are about to embark on their Silver arts Award.
· Boom Bike: Dan Fox is an Ulverston-based artist working with sound in all its forms. He composes, records and performs, makes musical instruments, creates digital interfaces, runs RSL radio stations and designs sound for theatre and film. Dan will work with young people to design and make a pedal and solar powered mobile sound system built onto a souped-up bike or tricycle. The mobile sound system will be multifunctional. There will be inputs for microphones and other external devices such as mp3 players, mobile phones, laptops, musical instruments and DJ decks.
ii) SOUND GAMES
Musician Pete Moser plans to compose new music inspired by different Olympics Sports and perform his new work at the Youth Olympics in Stanley Park. The project will involve young people and members of amateur sports clubs. We are waiting to hear if this project has successfully secured funding.
iii) OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY
Blackpool has joined forces with other local authorities in the county to submit an application for the Olympic Torch Relay, with Blackpool hosting an evening event on the promenade. An anticipated 30,000 people are expected to turn out for this event, which will be delivered in partnership with LOCOG (The London Organising Committee of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games).
iv) OLYMPIC-THEMED ILLUMINATIONS
The Illuminations Department are committed to developing some new Olympic-themed Illuminations. Designs will be developed in collaboration with Cultural Services with a view to involving local communities through the Arts Engagement Programme.
3.5 Other projects and events are expected to emerge over the next 18 months as the working group gathers pace.
3.6 A key challenge for the team will be in relation to drawing in new resources to support projects. Sponsorship opportunities are limited by virtue of the tight controls enforced by LOCOG to protect the London 2012 brand. That said, the team are confident that Blackpool will be able to produce a significant programme of events which will provide memorable experiences for residents and visitors and ensure that Blackpool is able to make the most of the opportunities presented by this momentous occasion.
4.0 Witnesses / representatives
4.1 As requested by the Committee members, the following persons have been invited to attend the meeting to speak on the matter:
· Polly Hamilton, Assistant Director, Cultural Services
Relevant officer:
Polly Hamilton, Assistant Director, Cultural Services
Tel: (01253) 476155, e-mail:
Appendices attached:
None.
Background papers:
None.
Websites and e-mail links for further information:
DCMS web-site: www.culture.gov.uk
London 2012 Olympics website www.london2012.com
Glossary:
LOCOG – The London Organising Committee of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games