2008 Cultural Olympiad Celebration

To touch the soul of the nation – that is the mission of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Cultural Olympiad is key to expressing that soul both within our borders and around the world. Culture is the second pillar of the Olympic movement: as sport brings the world to Canada’s door to compete, culture opens the door so the world can discover us.

To engage the community and help build legacies that will last beyond 2010, VANOC will create and produce the Cultural Olympiad. The Cultural Olympiad is envisioned to showcase the contemporary Canadian imagination through a series of three festivals of popular and fine arts each consisting of performances and exhibitions by a bold spectrum of creators. From contemporary to classical to aboriginal artists in music, theatre, dance, media, literary, visual, interdisciplinary, culinary and street art, there will be something for everyone in these culturally-diverse, multi-faceted celebrations.

At the core of the Cultural Olympiad are free and ticketed events that are expected to attract audiences in excess of 1.4 million in the Greater Vancouver/Whistler corridor. Television, online, broadband and mobile platforms will vastly extend the spirit and power of the celebration – sharing the experience with regional, national and international audiences.

VANOC envisions the Cultural Olympiad as a collaboration between VANOC and the Canadian arts community. VANOC wishes to enter into arrangements with established arts and cultural organizations for the co-production and co-presentation of the events and exhibitions of the Cultural Olympiad. VANOC will create and promote a unified identity and marketing focus to the Cultural Olympiad. VANOC is looking for events and activities representative of artistic excellence, innovation and cultural diversity to associate with the Cultural Olympiad. While the event will be presented as part of the Cultural Olympiad, care will be taken to also promote the individual identity of the co-producing and co-presenting cultural organizations. The intent is to maximize public engagement and participation in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, to celebrate culture as the second pillar of the Olympic Movement, and to build positive legacies for the arts and cultural community.

In 2008, the Cultural Olympiad will consist of an anticipated program of 40-50 events comprising more than 100 performances and exhibitions. In 2009, participation and anticipation increases with an expanded one year countdown celebration; and in 2010, the Cultural Olympiad reaches its crescendo with the Olympic and Paralympic Arts Festival – a transformative arts and culture program that will create memories and legacies to last a lifetime and inspire a generation.

VANOC will build the 2008 Celebration in partnership with regional arts and cultural organizations, enhancing existing seasonal and festival activity to create a dynamic program of events that will showcase the remarkable breadth of our creative community and its connections to the world. VANOC may contribute financial and promotional resources and event production support to these partnerships.

Event Dates