2012 Dorset Cultural Framework

2012 Cultural Framework for Dorset


Vision
Our vision is that the cultural programme will excite, engage and enchant residents and visitors of all ages, touch the lives of communities, and mark a step change in the way culture contributes to the area’s wellbeing and prosperity. The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are a once in a lifetime opportunity for Weymouth, Portland and Dorset to really up their cultural game. As the eyes of the world turn to Weymouth and Portland in 2012, the borough will have the huge responsibility of representing Dorset and the South West region to the world. The four year period of the Cultural Olympiad is an unbeatable chance to bring culture[1] into the foreground, both to showcase our own talented artists and distinctive culture, and to embrace and learn from inspirational cultural activities from the rest of the UK and the world.


Dorset 2012 Cultural Framework Group
The 2012 Cultural Framework Group has been brought together by the Dorset Strategic Partnership Culture Theme to start planning for the cultural programme in Weymouth, Portland and Dorset. The group is an evolving one. It currently includes representation from local authorities, arts, community planning, tourism, archives, World Heritage Site, Arts Council England, South West, Team Dorset and 2012 Creative Programmer (SW).


Purpose of this Document
The 2012 Cultural Framework Group has a strong determination that cultural events connected with the Games should link into existing planning processes, so that events provide a fantastic immediate experience for participants or audience and at the same time contribute to the long-term infrastructure which will support cultural activity into the future. The legacy could include both tangible and intangible gains such as increased cultural skills and capacity, a positive change in the perception of Dorset, new networks, better facilities and resources.

This paper describes the national, county and local strategic context for the Cultural Olympiad in Weymouth, Portland and Dorset. It also sets out the objectives and criteria for the Dorset cultural programme. In addition, there is information about who to contact and how to get involved, and about how to use the official ‘Inspire’ branding. This document will be updated as national and regional plans for the Cultural Olympiad emerge, but please look out for detailed updates on www.london2012.com/beinspired and www.culturesouthwest.org.uk/downloads/.


Background
Weymouth and Portland is hosting the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events, the only place outside London to host a complete competition. Sailing teams will be visiting regularly to train in the run up to the Games. In 2012 thousands of visitors will arrive to take part in and watch the sailing events, and broadcast images of Weymouth and Portland will be seen by more than 3 billion people worldwide.
Dorset is known for its beautiful coast and countryside, much of it protected by national and international designations for landscape and wildlife value. The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site was recognised in 2001 by UNESCO for its outstanding and accessible continuum of geology spanning 185 years of earth history. It stretches 95 miles from Exmouth in Devon to Studland in Dorset, with Weymouth and Portland near its centre. It is the only natural world heritage site in the world to develop an arts strategy.

This is a defining moment for Weymouth and Portland to reposition itself as a coastal resort for the 21st century, with incomparable built and natural assets and locally distinctive cultural experiences across Dorset to meet the needs of the 21st century visitor.


Strategic Context
The cultural programme for 2012 in Weymouth, Portland and Dorset is framed by national, regional and local priorities. The successful bid by the London 2102 Olympic Organising Committee (LOCOG) has the vision to: ‘Stage an inspirational Games that captures the imagination of young people around the world and leaves a lasting legacy.’
This translates into the three core values for London 2012 Cultural Olympiad:

Celebrate London and the whole of the UK welcoming the world
Inspire and involve young people
Generate a positive legacy

Seven themes[2] developed through consultation with the arts and cultural sectors include ‘Animating and humanising public spaces’ which has been chosen as the key theme for the South West region.

At regional level, Team South West’s Legacy Strategy for the 2012 Games[3] has as its overall vision: ‘A lasting and discernible community legacy from the London 2012 Games’. The regional Cultural Celebration mission is: ‘To achieve a magical, vibrant and inspiring programme of events and activities as part of the Cultural Olympiad, celebrating the uniqueness of the region and unlocking the creative potential in all of us.’

The Dorset Working Group for the 2012 Games[4] (Team Dorset) has been established to ensure that appropriate action is taken to deliver a successful Games in Dorset in line with Dorset’s contractual obligations. Six sub groups have been formed to concentrate on key issues: Business & Economy; Transport; Event management; Communications; Visitor management; Community partnership.

Arts Council England, South West defines its regional vision as: ‘A vibrant and rewarding Olympic Games and Paralympic Games where the creativity of south west artists is enriched and inspires individuals and communities to fulfil their potential and achieve their best.’ Five key priority themes are also identified including the Olympic venue of Weymouth and Portland.

The Museums, Libraries and Archives Partnership[5] vision for 2012 is: ‘Museums, libraries and archives will help ensure that the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games are an inclusive event. We will engage with young people, celebrate diversity and help deliver the best ever Games, sustaining a legacy for people in London and in all regions. We will champion the development of collections, audiences and workforce so that the 2012 Games will be a transformational event for the sector and our users.’

The emerging Dorset Destination Management Partnership[6] has key members from the public and private sectors of the tourism industry in Dorset. It has cultural tourism as one of its themes and identifies the common objectives between culture and tourism as Image making, Identity creation, Selling experiences and Memories.

The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site Arts Strategy[7] forms the basis of the arts strategy for the cultural programme for the 2012 Games in Dorset. Themes for 2008-2011 are Arts and Earth Science, Carnival, Celebration of Stone, Jurassic Coast fellowship, Sounds of the Coast, and Site Specific Arts.

The Dorset Strategic Partnership brings together the public, private, business, voluntary and community sectors in the county. ‘Shaping our Future’ : The Dorset Community Strategy 2007-2016[8] was developed through community consultation and includes priorities for the contribution of culture to economic, tourism and community development, the environment and well-being through culture which are overseen by the Culture Theme Group. The Community Strategy is the basis of Dorset’s Local Area Agreement with central government which this year has been negotiated around the set of 198 National Indicators (NI) published in October 2007, including NI11 Engagement in the Arts.

The Weymouth and Portland Partnership’s Community Plan 2008-2016: Your Place, Our Future [9] was developed through community consultation and identifies a key role for culture in the delivery a number of its priority actions within the Economy, The Built and Natural Environment, Safer, Stronger Communities, and Learning, Culture and the Arts.

The Dorset Strategic Partnership led a consultation process to arrive at a shared aspiration for the Olympic legacy in Dorset: 12 for 2012: Legacy for Dorset from the 2012 Games. The DSP Culture Theme Group has responsibility for delivery of priority 10: ‘Sustain the enhanced international profile of Dorset and through this continue to develop interest in the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, cultural activities and Dorset’s economic offer.’ The Weymouth and Portland Partnership has responsibility for the delivery of priority 11: ‘Provide a stimulus to improvement in the social, cultural and economic fabric of Weymouth and Portland together with improving the supply of housing accommodation, including affordable housing.’


London 2012 Cultural Olympiad
The national programme is divided into four categories:

Mandatory ceremonies (handover at Beijing, torch relays, opening ceremonies)
Delivered by LOCOG.

Major Projects which featured in the London 2012 bid.
Delivered by LOCOG with regional partners
UK-wide Festival
Supported / led by 2012 Regional Programmers

In the main, the 2012 Cultural Framework Group is concerned with projects in the Major Projects and UK-wide Festival categories. The UK-wide Festival includes Live Sites – outdoor video screens in major towns and cities. Planning is in progress for at least one temporary Live Site in Weymouth and Portland in the build up to and during 2012.


Cultural Olympiad in the South West
The overall theme for the regional programme is the Extraordinary Mile[10] embracing a series of Extraordinary Journeys through the unique environment of the South West and beyond in search of extraordinary people, places, spaces, events and challenges. The regional programme has a commitment to minimising the carbon footprint of every project presented.


Cultural Olympiad in Dorset
The 2012 Cultural Framework Group has agreed shared aims, themes and priority programme strands.

Aims
To effect a real and permanent transformation in the profile of culture in all aspects of sustainable economic and community life.
To contribute to the re-energising of Dorset as a place to live, visit, and do business, for visitors, residents and young people.
To establish the arts as a key player in effective and sustainable working across boundaries with other sectors especially tourism, sports, economic development and community development.
To leave a lasting legacy for culture in terms of physical resources, infrastructure, skills and capacity.

Themes
All projects must embrace the following themes:
Work with young people
Inclusion of disabled people and disabled artists
Recognise diversity
Create international links
Leave a lasting legacy

Projects may also address:
Participation
Skills development
Excellence and personal best

Programme Strands
The eyes of the world on Dorset
Celebrating the built and natural environment
Carnival
Movement and migration
How to Get Involved
The 2012 Cultural Framework Group is compiling a list of projects for the Cultural Olympiad in Dorset proposed by individuals, artists, cultural groups, local authorities and others, in order to identify complementary projects and duplication of effort, to keep an overview of the progress of projects and to check that priority objectives are being met. Projects taking place in Dorset may, of course, be part of the national programme, the regional programme or the Dorset programme or all three.

If you have a project at any stage of development – at concept stage, in active development or with confirmed funding and ready to run, please let us know about it. Please note that the Working Group has no funds to disburse but the programme list will be used to help potential funders to prioritise their resources.

In the first instance, please contact your local authority Arts/Cultural Development Officer with a short written description of your project (up to 2 sides) including project title, brief description, location, date and time, lead organisation, partners, stage of development, an indicative budget and funding sources identified to date.

Christchurch District Council


North Dorset District Council

Kevin Morris, Environmental Policy Manager
kmorris@north-dorset.gov.uk

Purbeck District Council

Holly Lagden, Tourism Officer
tourism@purbeck-dc.gov.uk

West Dorset District Council
Jude Allen, Cultural Development Officer
j.allen@westdorset-dc.gov.uk

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council
Alan Rogers, Arts Development Officer
alan_rogers@weymouth.ac.uk


London 2012 ‘Inspire’ Mark[11]
The ‘Inspire’ mark sits within the official 2012 brand family. It is a badge of recognition which will be awarded to innovative non-commercial projects and events inspired by the Games across sport, culture, education, environment, volunteering and business opportunities. Projects must be largely or fully funded before applying for the ‘Inspire’ mark – it cannot be used to assist with fundraising. During the first year, the ‘Inspire’ mark is being piloted exclusively on cultural projects, with a view to rolling the branding out to projects in the other sectors in future years. Any proposals for cultural projects during 2008/09 should be discussed with the 2012 Creative Programmer, South West.

Contact details: Richard Crowe, 2012 Creative Programmer South West
richard.crowe@culturesouthwest.org.uk
www.culturesouthwest.org.uk
www.london2012.com/plans/culture/index.php
Appendix
The Strategic Context


London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Ltd
Cultural Olympiad briefing pack, March 2008

Core Values
The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad is for everyone. It will:

Celebrate London and the whole of the UK welcoming the world – our unique
internationalism, cultural diversity, sharing and understanding
Inspire and involve young people
Generate a positive legacy – for example through cultural and sports participation, audience development, cultural skills, capacity building, urban regeneration, tourism and social cohesion and international links.

Themes
The Cultural Olympiad will focus on the following themes:

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

www.london2012.com


Team South West
South West England Legacy Strategy for the 2012 Games

Vision
A lasting and discernible community legacy from the London 2012 Games.

Cultural Celebration: Regional Mission
To achieve a magical, vibrant and inspiring programme of events and activities as part of the Cultural Olympiad, celebrating the uniqueness of the region and unlocking creative potential in all of us.

The Regional Plan for Cultural Celebration includes:

Working with the London 2012 Organising Committee in contributing to the major elements of the Cultural Olympiad
Developing a South West cultural programme with an overarching theme of international friendship and inclusion
Developing through consultation, a series of projects that could include [amongst others]:
§ Projects within the Jurassic Coast Arts Strategy based on connecting sport,
World Heritage and culture
§ Specific opening and closing ceremonies at Weymouth and Portland
§ Iconic public art project for the region
§ A series of inspirational events linking sport, art and the Olympic and Paralympic ideals
§ Education projects which will link schools across the world

www.southwestrda.org.uk/region/london2012/introduction.shtm


Dorset Working Group for the 2012 Games (Team Dorset)

Aims
To ensure that action is taken to deliver a successful Games in Dorset, as per Dorset’s contractual obligations, where all partners are sharing information and working towards the same aim.

Key Areas of Responsibility
The DWG will support the work of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) in their activities relating to or connected with the management and hosting of the sailing events for the 2012 Games, and associated activities.
The work of DWG will focus primarily on the areas of: Event management; Transport management; Communications; visitor management. For these areas it will establish sub-groups.
Information will be shared between the sub-groups and the partner organisations. The DWG will provide a steer in respect of areas of overlapping interest.
The DWG will liaise with the Dorset Strategic Partnership (DSP) on issues relating to “12 for 2012”, Dorset’s legacy from the 2012 Games, for which the DSP will have ultimate responsibility.

The Group, chaired by David Jenkins, Chief Exec Dorset County Council, has representation from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, West Dorset District Council, Dorset Strategic Partnership, South West Regional Development Agency, Royal Yachting Association, Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Active Dorset,
Dorset Police, Dorset Echo and Portland Port. The Vice Chair of the Dorset Strategic Partnership Culture Theme Group currently provides representation for the Cultural
Olympiad and Legacy Trust UK.

www1.dorsetforyou.com/common/partnerships.nsf/Partnerships/EE768F47212AA476802572E10074E88E?OpenDocument






Arts Council England, South West
Olympic and Paralympic 2012 project vision

Vision
A vibrant and rewarding Olympic Games and Paralympic Games where the creativity of south west artists is enriched and inspires individuals and communities to fulfil their potential and achieve their best.

Priorities

The Olympic Paradox: individual excellence and world peace
Inspiring young people and celebrating interculturalism
The south west natural environment: sailing, the sea, Jurassic coast and ecology
Ports of entry, departure and exchange
Major venue and training camps

www.artscouncil.org.uk/regions/index.php


Museums, Libraries and Archives Partnership
Setting the Pace

MLA Partnership is government's agency for museums, galleries, libraries and archives. It was created in 2006 bringing together the MLA Council and the nine regional agencies. The 2012 programme is the first major initiative of the Partnership.

Setting the Pace is the product of extensive consultation with the sector, and responses have been distilled into concrete proposals for five projects which will help deliver the best ever Cultural Olympiad, and have a transformational impact on the museum, libraries and archives sector. The five projects are:

International Exhibitions Programme
Telling ‘Stories of the World’ through the re-interpretation of UK collections.

The People’s Record
Capturing people’s life stories in London and across the UK and the engagement with the Cultural Olympiad and the 2012 Games.

The Record
Setting a new standard for a comprehensive Games archive and enabling this legacy to be used to inform and inspire.

Literature and Storytelling
Inspiring young people by celebrating ‘London and the UK welcoming the world’ with the written and spoken word.

Information Hubs
Showcasing the cultural wealth of London and the regions to an international audience.

www.mla.gov.uk/programmes/settingthepace


Dorset Destination Management Partnership
Destination Dorset: The Cultural Dimension

The Dorset Destination Management Partnership is currently being developed. Its aim is to make the most of the unique tourism and natural assets the area has to offer, reduce duplication and enable local associations and tourism partnerships to work better, to make better use of resources, to improve seasonality aimed at creating a year-round tourist destination and to maximise the potential of hosting the sailing events for the London 2012 Games and the World Heritage Status of our coastline. The Partnership already comprises of key members of the industry from the private and public sectors and a Steering Group has been formed in order to help shape the management partnership.

Cultural tourism is one of the themes which the Partnership is exploring. Cultural tourism is concerned with the consumption of cultural product from both the past and the present, or the way of life of a people or region. It is not one defined market but, rather, a number of niche markets which contribute to a general trend in tourist behaviour away from standardised mass tourism towards ‘knowledge-based tourism’. Whilst culture and tourism will gain in different ways from cultural tourism, they share the following common objectives: Image making, identity creation, selling experiences, and memories.

Cultural tourists want:
Authenticity
Travel and Discovery
A fairly wide and non-exclusive view of culture
Critical mass of cultural assets and product

Key stakeholders in Dorset are:
Dorset Art Weeks
Hidden Dorset
Creative Dorset
WHS Jurassic Coast Arts Strategy
Dorset 2012 Cultural Framework Group
National Trust
Organisations representing heritage, archaeology, museums and family history
Arts and Business

www.dorsetdmo.co.uk
Dorset Strategic Partnership
Shaping our Future: The Community Strategy for Dorset 2007-2016

C.4 Developing Dorset’s Economy
C.4.3.8 Improve the perception of Dorset as a place to do business through the ‘Image and identity’ project.
C.4.3.9 Enhance the performance of key business sectors. These sectors are advanced engineering including marine and aerospace, care, food and drink, tourism (year round, high value) and creative industries.
C.4.3.10 Meet the LAA reward element target to support the growth and productivity of the creative industries business sector.

C.6 Safeguarding Dorset’s Environment Now and for the Future
C.6.3.10 Plan, protect and positively manage Dorset’s natural and built environment in a way which retains a diversity of landscapes, supports biodiversity and retains local distinctiveness.
C.6.3.11 Use the international quality of the environment, including the AONB and World Heritage Site, as a driver for economic development and quality of life, within environmental limits.

D2 Building Stronger and Inclusive Communities
D.2.4.1 Develop a county-wide approach to volunteering, including the implementation of the LAA reward element target to increase formal volunteering.
D.2.4.2 Develop a public sector strategy for third sector infrastructure and by working with all partners build the capacity of the third sector for a future of shared service planning and delivery.

D.4 Creating Well-being through Culture
D.4.3.1 Implement the Creative Dorset Business Plan and maintain the support it offers to the sector beyond 2010.
D.4.3.2 Implement the World Heritage Site Jurassic Coast Arts Strategy and use this connection to build and strengthen other productive art and nature links in the county.
D.4.3.3 Work with partners to deliver a high quality cultural festivals programme, including international and locally distinctive work, for the Cultural Olympiad and provide a cultural tourism legacy for Dorset.
D.4.3.4 Support the creation of enhanced destination management arrangements for Dorset based on links between culture, local food, landscape, film locations etc.
D.4.3.6 Work with regional and local organisations to map and develop cultural volunteering for example to support community museums.
D.4.3.9 Establish a Dorset design and heritage forum to steer the resourcing and delivery of a programme of work which will enable a step change in quality through design professionals and public art.
D.4.3.11 Support partners including Active Dorset, the County Sports Partnership, and grass roots level voluntary sports organisations to retain and develop physical infrastructure and increase levels of participation and volunteering in physical activity and sport.

www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=2736


Weymouth and Portland Partnership
Your Place, Our Future: Community Plan for Weymouth and Portland 2008-2016

Economy
16 Develop the identity and image of the Borough as a business location to attract investment and new business
20 Develop a thriving creative industries sector, including arts, multi-media and new technologies
22 Develop the appeal of the Borough beyond a traditional tourist resort, taking advantage of changing markets and tourism patterns
24 Increase the provision of resident focussed culture and leisure activities
26 Improve specialist marketing, for example outdoor activities, environmental volunteering and the arts

The Built and Natural Environment
34 Work with other organisations to develop projects which celebrate and enhance the environment
37 Improve awareness and adoption of good quality design and architecture
38 Improve the seafront, town centre, and other key areas within Weymouth and Portland

Safer, Stronger Communities
81 Work with voluntary and community groups that set priorities and support their neighbourhoods
82 Create a more appealing and inclusively safe environment in Weymouth Town Centre
85 Work towards more inclusive communities, engaging people from black and ethnic minority groups, gypsies and travellers and the EU immigrant population

Learning, Culture and Arts
99 Develop the identity of the Borough as a vibrant and creative place
100 Develop a varied programme of temporary and permanent arts, heritage and cultural activities
101 Introduce a programme of public art for the Borough which enhances the character of the area
102 Develop policies to secure financial contributions for art works through public and private finance
103 Establish the Borough as a centre for training and enterprise in the cultural industries
104 Involve young people and use their creativity and skills to create a sense of belonging and pride of place
105 Increase the provision of cultural venues, both temporary and permanent
106 Develop the artistic direction of Weymouth Carnival as a showcase for the South West and legacy for 2012
107 Participate in the cultural programmes of the World Heritage Coast and wider Dorset area
108 Promote volunteering as a way to develop and utilise the skills of residents
109 Develop specific projects to engage young people, particularly in sporting activities and cultural projects linked to 2012
110 Support the development of affordable activities for young people in the Borough

www.weymouthandportlandpartnership.org/


12 for 2012: Legacy for Dorset from the 2012 Games
1. Improved transport infrastructure and access, with the Weymouth Relief Road open and in use, and an integrated road and rail based public transport system offering improved reliability and accessibility for road-based public transport serving Weymouth and Portland and more frequent and faster trains to and from Weymouth.
2. Creation of Europe's top international sailing venue at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, including improved facilities and a new marina for the benefit of the whole of Dorset.
3. Increased participation by people of all ages in sport, play and leisure activities.
4. Increase in general levels of health and reduction in level of obesity in all ages of Dorset's population through more healthy, active lifestyles.
5. Weymouth and Portland becomes a centre of international marine and leisure excellence with a view to stimulating Dorset's economy, increasing wage levels and providing more year round employment.
6. Improved economic opportunities for wider Dorset, with access to quality employment, where young people can see they have a future.
7. Well trained and more highly skilled people in work or volunteering to support local communities and sustain the local economy well beyond the Games.
8. International recognition of Dorset as a desirable county to visit, that offers a warm welcome with improved customer care and quality service meeting international standards, backed up by high quality visitor accommodation.
9. A greater understanding of diversity and multiculturalism, including improved access and facilities in the area for visitors and local people with disabilities.
10. Sustain the enhanced international profile of Dorset and through this continue to develop interest in the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site, cultural activities and Dorset's economic offer.
11. Provide a stimulus to improvement in the social, cultural and economic fabric of Weymouth and Portland together with improving the supply of housing accommodation, including affordable housing.
12. Dorset to achieve a step change in its environmental and sustainability performance including energy and water use; waste & recycling; travel; food; materials and wildlife.
www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=358424
[1] The definition for culture adopted by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport is a broad one including visual art, craft, music, dance, literature, carnival and street arts, tourism, fashion, food, film, video, photography, architecture, design, heritage, libraries, archives, museums, galleries, creative industries, sport and the media.
[2] http://www.london2012.com/plans/culture/now-to-2012/getting-involved.php
[3] http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/region/london2012/legacy-1.shtm
[4]http://www1.dorsetforyou.com/common/partnerships.nsf/Partnerships/EE768F47212AA476802572E10074E88E?OpenDocument
[5] http://www.mla.gov.uk/programmes/settingthepace
[6] http://www.dorsetdmo.co.uk/index.html
[7] http://www.jurassiccoast.com/downloads/WHS%20Management/jurassic_coast_arts_strategy_1.pdf
[8] http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=17275
[9] http://www.weymouthandportlandpartnership.org/community-plan.shtml
[10] http://www.culturesouthwest.org.uk/downloads/list.asp?CategoryID=97
[11] http://www.culturesouthwest.org.uk/downloads/file.asp?Filename=cultural-olympiad-background-briefing.pdf