Arts Council England Press Office

From over 2,000 entries, independent panels of artists and producers have selected 12 extraordinary projects to receive commissions totalling £5.4 million, one for each of the nine English regions and the nations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Each of them is directly inspired by their location and will celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games across the UK.

Together, the commissions explore new interpretations of public art; from celebrating our cultural heritage to highlighting contemporary issues, all encourage the active participation of the public and demonstrate exciting new collaborations.

The 12 winning commissions will be developed across 2010 and 2011. All 12 will take part in a final unifying celebration, prior to the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

The Artists taking the lead winning commissions are:

EAST: On Landguard Point, Pacitti Theatre Company

A unique feature film, starring large numbers of the local community alongside leading live artists, will be created from a series of spectacular outdoor events across East Anglia.

EAST MIDLANDS: Lionheart, Shauna Richardson

Three 30ft lions will be hand crocheted and displayed in a huge taxidermy style case, in Nottingham. Taking its inspiration from Richard the Lionheart and the region’s textile industry, Lionheart will celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the East Midlands.

LONDON: Bus-Tops, Alfie Dennen and Paula Le Dieu

LED panels on the roofs of bus stops will provide Londoners with a unique canvas on which to talk to each other, display their creativity and express what is special about their London.

NORTH EAST: FLOW, The Owl Project and Ed Carter

An environmentally sustainable watermill will be created to float on the River Tyne, forming an interactive arts space full of fantastical mechanical devices.

NORTH WEST: Projected Column, Anthony McCall and FACT

A monumental spinning column of cloud and light will rise as far as the eye can see from Birkenhead’s disused Morpeth dock, directly opposite the city of Liverpool.

NORTHERN IRELAND: The Nest, Brian Irvine and John McIlduff

A warehouse installation made from donated personal possessions will inspire a new musical composition for the largest, most inclusive chorus ever assembled in Northern Ireland.

SCOTLAND: Forest Pitch, Craig Coulthard

A full size football pitch will be created within woodland to the south of Edinburgh. The pitch will host two football matches made up of amateurs from around Scotland.  Once the matches are over, the pitch will be left to return to nature, creating a new environment within the forest.

SOUTH EAST: The Boat Project, Lone Twin

The people of the South East will be asked to donate wooden objects of personal significance to help create a beautiful sea-faring boat. Once complete, the boat will sail the South East coast and become the focus of celebratory arts events.

SOUTH WEST: nowhereisland, Alex Hartley

Alex Hartley will bring an island he discovered in the High Arctic in 2004 to the South West of England. The island will navigate the coast accompanied by a travelling embassy, exploring issues of climate change and land ownership.

WALES: Adain Avion, Marc Rees

A travelling wingless silver bird, recycled from an abandoned DC9 aeroplane, will ‘nest’ in locations across Wales, and be transformed and animated by the local communities who take ownership of it.

WEST MIDLANDS: Godiva Awakes, Imagineer Productions

Coventry icon Lady Godiva will be recreated as a gigantic human puppet and lead a cast of thousands in a spectacular processional performance, before making her epic journey to London.

YORKSHIRE: Leeds Canvas, Leeds Canvas

An unprecedented collaboration between the city’s artists, arts organisations, and internationally renowned Quay Brothers, will use the buildings, streets, and people of Leeds as the ‘canvas’ for a month long series of interventions .

Please see separate project summaries for full descriptions of each project

Moira Sinclair, Executive Director of Arts Council England, London, said: ‘These 12 extraordinary projects redefine what public art will mean in 2012. From spectacular events and monumental installations to very personal explorations of a region’s culture in perhaps more unexpected places, the active involvement of individuals and communities will be key to their success and encourage new audiences to enjoy the arts.

‘I would like to congratulate not only the 12 winners, but each of the 59 artists shortlisted for these commissions; together they demonstrate that the UK is a nation bursting with creativity.’

London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe said: ‘The winning commissions will be the catalyst for a truly national showcase of culture inspired by the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Each project will explore the nation and region’s creativity as part of a UK-wide celebration of London 2012.’

Chair of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad Board, Tony Hall, commented: ‘Well done to all the winners! I think it's wonderful to see such a diverse range of creativity across the winning 12 commissions, reflecting the different characteristics of different parts of the UK.  And as I travel around the regions meeting those involved, I'm encouraged by the huge energy and buzz already being created by the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.  This is a real opportunity to show the world the breadth of talent and creativity there is in the UK across all art forms.’

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: ‘The UK has a proud reputation as being home to some of the world’s most talented and innovative artists, reflected in the range of works selected today. Through Artists taking the lead, every part of the country will get a new and exciting artwork which combines the sporting and cultural spirit of the 2012 Games.’

ENDS