Kent Cultural Baton Case Study

Summary

The Kent Cultural Baton is a unique public artwork that travels throughout the County visiting festivals, organisations, individuals, schools and businesses in the run up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Each host of the baton embodies one of the 21 different representations of 'culture' and 'creativity' as defined by London 2012, from the worlds of art, science and heritage, to street theatre, music and the environment.

Artist Nicole Mollett was chosen as the artist to design the Kent Cultural Baton with her concept of a 'Travelling Pod', which was awarded the prestigious Inspire Mark

The 'pod' consists of a large Airstream caravan that has been adapted to hold workshops to collect stories from local people and give them the opportunity to experience drawing, photography, sound and film as well as providing a temporary gallery space. As the baton, the 'pod' aims to inspire people's creativity and cultural awareness using 2012 as its inspiration. Communities who receive the baton will be able to contribute to a special blog during their visit, which will highlight the cultural activities that have taken place. When the baton ends its journey in 2012, a map of the baton's journey through Kent will be displayed as a reminder of the 2012 Games for future generations of residents.

The Kent Cultural Baton is looking for hosts. Please contact the Baton's project manager Catherine Herbert catherine.herbert@kent.gov.uk