Calling all composers!

Kent Arts are looking to commission an exciting musician/composer to create a 20 minute work celebrating Maidstone's part in the Cultural Olympiad next year.

With £5000 up for grabs, you don't want to miss out on this opportunity!

Maidstone is one of only two locations in Kent that will see the Olympic torch passing through it and the musical piece will premiere at the Olympic Torch event on 19th July at Leeds Castle.

'Maidstone' should be the theme and whilst the Olympics Games themselves need not influence this, the Olympic priorities should. The Arts development team are keen that the piece should be as eclectic as possible to appeal to as large an audience as possible.

Interested applicants should submit a CV, a recent piece of work both on CD/MP3 and scored and a short description of the kind of work they would like to produce for this project. Please bear in mind that this work should be accessible for a large number of performers.

The team will be shortlisting and interviewing in December 2011 and a final decision on the successful applicant will be made in January 2012.

For an informal discussion please call Mandy Hare on 01622 602178. For a full brief on this project please contact – mandyhare@maidstone.gov.uk

London 2012’s Inspire Programme

To coincide with the Olympics, the cultural Olympiad will run from 26th - 28th September 2008 to the end of the 2012 Paralympic Games. It has been created to inspire the UK’s young people to use culture and creativity to fulfil their potential. Underpinned by the core values of ‘Welcoming the World’ ‘Inspiring Young People’ and ‘Delivering a Legacy’, there will be an eight minute handover from Beijing to London on 24th August and this will be marked by events around the country. Among the confirmed cultural events will be the Shakespeare Society presenting ‘Shakespeare Now!’, the Arts Council’s ‘Artists Taking The Lead’ and ‘2012 Sound’ in conjunction with BBC Music.

For community and charity projects, the ‘Inspire Mark’ is a brand family, a first for any Games. Recognising non commercial projects and events rather than individuals it can be included in publicity, and is a variation on the Olympic Logo. Visit www.london2012.com/beinspired to see if you and your group can benefit.