UCA-led initiative going for London 2012 gold
A Cultural Olympiad scheme led by the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) has been nominated for a prestigious London 2012 award.
The Creative Campus Initiative (CCI) is shortlisted at the Podium Awards which recognise the vital role colleges and universities across the UK have played in delivering this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The CCI has already seen off more than 200 diverse entrants to be nominated for Best Creative Cultural Project at the star-studded ceremony overlooking the Olympic Stadium on 3 May 2012.
UCA has led a consortium of 11 universities in the South East since 2009. The CCI quickly became the country's largest Higher Education programme in support of the Cultural Olympiad and has seen 15 of its projects recognised with official London 2012 Inspire marks.
It has created more than 100 events, involving half a million people, that range from exhibitions, performances and school visits to large-scale sports art, such as The Big Swim where participants swam in a cloud of Olympic colours.
The CCI is currently co-ordinating a student competition to produce 16 pieces of art for the Main Press Centre and a further four large-scale works which will be exhibited at the Olympic Site.
Professor Seymour Roworth-Stokes, UCA Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chair of the CCI Steering Group, said: "Being shortlisted for a Podium Award is a great achievement and we're very excited to be part of such a significant event for the higher education sector.
"Three years ago, universities across the South East agreed to open up their campuses and cultural resources in support of the Cultural Olympiad. The response from local schools and community groups has been fantastic and it's incredible to think that artwork generated from the project will now feature in the Olympic Park.
"It's been a real privilege to be involved in a world event such as the Olympics and I hope the CCI's exploration of sport through art and culture has a lasting legacy along with many other areas of London 2012."
Podium is the Further and Higher Education Unit for the London 2012 Games. It has a nationwide remit to work with colleges and universities across the UK to maximise their involvement with all aspects of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and their legacy.
Led by UCA, the CCI consists of the following Universities: Buckinghamshire New University, Oxford Brookes University, University of Portsmouth, Southampton University, Southampton Solent University, Winchester University, University of Brighton and University of Sussex, Canterbury Christ Church University and University of Kent, Royal Holloway University of London and University of West London.
The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad is the largest cultural celebration in the history of the modern Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Spread over four years, it is designed to give everyone in the UK a chance to be part of London 2012 and inspire creativity across all forms of culture, especially among young people.
For more information contact:
David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA
T: 01252 892939
E: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk
