Artists Wanted - Create a Cultural Icon for Kent!

Kent County Council is seeking expressions of interest from artists to create and produce an original artwork that will be named the Kent Cultural Baton.

In the build up to the London 2012 Games, the Baton will be hosted by individuals and organisations across Kent as part of local events, celebrations and projects. The Baton will attract media attention and capture a legacy of shared memories from this unique moment in our history.

Part of the Cultural Olympiad

Throughout 2009-2012, the Kent Cultural Baton will contribute to the Cultural Olympiad, which will celebrate British and International culture ahead of London 2012.

The Cultural Olympiad is made up of seven themes, all of which the Kent Cultural Baton will contribute to. These themes include:

• Encouraging audiences to take part.
• Animating public spaces – through street arts, public art, circus skills, live big screen sites.
• Bringing together culture and sport.
• Using culture and sport to raise issues of environmental sustainability, health and wellbeing.
• Honouring and sharing the Olympic and Paralympic values.
• Encouraging collaboration and innovation between communities and cultures.
• Enhancing the learning, skills and personal development of young people by linking with education programmes.

The Baton will also express the three values of the Cultural Olympiad:

• celebrate London and the UK welcoming the world.
• inspire and involve young people.
• generate a positive legacy – for example through cultural participation, audience development, cultural skills, tourism and international links.

Interested?

Artists must initially submit a written expression of interest, including the following:

• A proposal setting out ideas (maximum 500 words) and where relevant, show approximate dimensions, weight and a suggestion of materials.
• A timeframe for the production period and consequent creation of the work.
• A current curriculum vitae.
• A maximum of 8 jpeg images of previous work.

A full version of the brief can be viewed by following this link (pdf)

The Deadline for Initial Responses: Wednesday 29 July 2009.

Applications should be emailed to Lucy Hayward, Arts & Regeneration Officer, West Kent at: lucy.hayward@kent.gov.uk.

If you have specific access requirements, please contact Lucy Hayward on 01622 696429 by Friday 3rd July for a discussion.