UCA-led Cultural Olympiad project wins London 2012 Gold
A Cultural Olympiad scheme led by the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) has won a prestigious London 2012 award.
The Creative Campus Initiative (CCI) saw off more than 230 diverse entries to pick up the Gold medal for best 'Creative Cultural project' at last night's (3 May) Podium Awards in London.
The one-off event, which took place overlooking the Olympic Park, provided the opportunity to recognise the vital role colleges and universities across the UK have played in delivering this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Professor Seymour Roworth-Stokes, UCA Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chair of the CCI Steering Group, said: "This is a fantastic achievement and tremendous recognition for everyone involved in the Creative Campus Initiative - we're thrilled and incredibly proud.
"We set out four years ago with a very simple aim: to exploit the cultural assets and resources of universities in the South East in support of the Cultural Olympiad. Since then, we have reached over half a million people by bringing sport and art together as a creative response to the Olympic and Paralympic values.
"Of course, legacy is about people and this award will help ensure we inspire the next generation of artist, designers and creative practitioners."
UCA has led the CCI, a consortium of 11 universities in the South East, since 2009. It 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.
Paul Deighton, CEO of LOCOG, said; "Colleges and Universities have played an integral role in supporting London 2012. I congratulate all of the universities involved with the CCI on winning a gold medal at the Podium Awards.
"The Creative Campus Initiative is a tremendous example of how the power of the Games is being used to inspire people to make a real and lasting difference."
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
