The Stage

Cultural Olympiad programme secures £16 million funding boost

Published Wednesday 15 July 2009 at 13:04 by Lalayn Baluch

London’s Cultural Olympiad programme has secured a lottery grant of £16 million, which will fund six of the capital’s major 2012 projects.

The investment has come from the Olympic Lottery Distributor, and will see both the World Shakespeare Festival and London-based music event World River receive £4 million each, while street arts project Carnival will gain £2 million.

The largest celebration of disabled artists called Unlimited will benefit from £1.5 million, £3 million will be plugged into a film project for young people, and the remaining £1.5 million will go to a programme showcasing the UK’s historic sites.

The news comes alongside confirmation that Royal Opera House chief executive Tony Hall has been appointed as chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games’ new Cultural Olympiad Board. In this role, Hall will oversee the development of the arts programme, as well as report to the Olympic Board and provide them with quarterly progress reports.

Hall commented: “I have always believed that the Olympic and Paralympic Games presents a fantastic opportunity for the arts in this country.

“We have the ability to introduce a whole new generation to arts and culture and show the world what a creative and inspiration country this is.”

He will work alongside Jude Kelly, artistic director of the Southbank Centre, who is chair of Culture, Ceremonies and Education at LOCOG and a founder member of the new board.

Culture secretary Ben Bradshaw added: “It’s great that Tony Hall has come on board, bringing such a wealth of experience in broadcasting, production and the arts.”