The Cultural Olympiad Backgrounder

Culture is the second pillar of the Olympic Movement. To touch the soul of the nation - that's the mission of Vancouver 2010. To do this the Cultural Olympiad is key to expressing that soul, nationally and around the world.

The Cultural Olympiad will deliver an outstanding program of pre-Games celebrations and Games-time arts festivals celebrating the best contemporary, classical and aboriginal artists of BC, Canada and the world.

The Cultural Olympiad will showcase the contemporary Canadian imagination through a series of three festivals of popular and fine arts with performances and exhibitions by a bold spectrum of creators from across the country - with something for everyone in these culturally-diverse, multi-faceted celebrations. Working in partnership with the artistic community, the Cultural Olympiad will highlight some of the most dynamic talent from British Columbia, Canada and the world - including contemporary, classical and Aboriginal music, theatre, dance, media, and literary, visual, interdisciplinary, culinary and street art.

Established and emerging artists will be showcased, new works will be premiered, artistic collaborations and intercultural exchange will be fostered. Activity will be concentrated primarily in Vancouver and Whistler, with the potential for provincial, national and international extensions through performing arts tours, visual arts exhibitions and new media activity.

VANOC will produce the majority of Cultural Olympiad programming in partnership with regional not-for-profit arts presenters, producers and festivals. Through co-productions and co-presentations VANOC will leverage our community's knowledge base, creativity, audience base and resources to maximize the scope, scale, relevance and overall community impact of the Cultural Olympiad.

The Cultural Olympiad will build over three years, launching in 2008 with an expected program of some 40 to 50 events comprising more than 100 performances and exhibitions. In 2009, participation and anticipation will increase with an expanded one-year countdown celebration. And, in 2010, the Cultural Olympiad will showcase 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.


2009 Celebration	February 1 - March 21, 2009
Olympic and Paralympic Arts Festival	January 22 - March 21, 2010

Find out more about Cultural Events and Festivals - Vancouver 2010