Nottingham secures bid for 2012 World Exhibition

Nottingham is to host the first global exhibition of young artists immediately after the 2012 Olympic Games, forming the finale of the East Midland’s contribution to the UK Cultural Olympiad.
 
Nottingham City Council and Arts Council England East Midlands have today announced that the city has been chosen to host the prestigious 2012 World Exhibition - Event for Young Artists.
 
The 2012 World Exhibition will showcase young artistic talent from across the globe, and will bring 2,500 artists aged 18-30, plus thousands more visitors, to Nottingham for a celebration that will stretch across many of the city’s cultural venues and spaces. The event programme will include high profile exhibitions, installations and performances. It is the first time that this type of event, which builds on the success of the Biennale of Young Artists from Europe and Mediterranean (BJCEM), will be presented on a global stage.
 
The Market Square will form the centrepiece of the World Exhibition, with a temporary structure providing a hub for artists and visitors. Also key to the city’s bid was its unique transport network, with the tram playing a key role in transporting people to many of the city’s major cultural attractions including Nottingham Contemporary, Broadway, New Art Exchange, Nottingham Castle, the Royal Centre and the Trent FM Arena, alongside other less conventional spaces and sites across the city. The bid also involves neighbouring Leicester and Derby playing a significant role in the event.
 
The Leader of Nottingham City Council, Councillor John Collins said: “This is fantastic news for Nottingham and cements our place as a ground-breaking European cultural centre. As a city with a large young population, we’re delighted to be the first in the world to host a young artists’ event on this scale and look forward to our world class arts facilities showcasing emerging artistic talent to international and local audiences.
 
“The timing means that the world’s eyes will already be on Britain and this will offer Nottingham a unique opportunity to shine. As well as promoting the finest in young international art, we hope that the world event will bring a message of global harmony, diversity and unity that will be echoed throughout the city, and will also create opportunities for our own young people to actively participate in this once-in-lifetime opportunity.”
 
Laura Dyer, Executive Director, Arts Council England, East Midlands, said: "I'm truly delighted to be able to welcome the first world meeting of young artists to the UK. I'm looking forward to seeing the best young artists the world has to offer descend on Nottingham, for the world event which will also be part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad.   I hope that this will not only raise the profile of Nottingham as a city but the East Midlands as a whole, offering us the opportunity to showcase our vibrant arts scene and fantastic new cultural buildings on an international stage ."
 
Alessandro Stillo, the Secrétaire Genéral of The International Association Biennale des Jeunes Createurs de l'Europe et de la Mediterranee (BJCEM) said “BJCEM is proud to be partner in this new challenge of the first World Exhibition of Young Artists. We need a meeting of creative, young people from 18 to 30 years old, not only to provide creative opportunities and promote young artists, but also to develop and increase intercultural dialogue between people through the language of the arts. BJCEM are pleased to be working with Arts Council England, East Midlands, Nottingham City Council and UK Young Artists (UKYA) to build a network of world partners to select and invite a large number of young artists to this first World Exhibition.”
 
Councillor David Trimble, Portfolio Holder for leisure, Culture and Customers is attending the 2009 Young People’s European Biennale in Skopje to learn first hand about staging such an event, and said: “We are determined to ensure that the widest possible audience from across the city will be able to access the wonderful opportunities this event presents.”
 
The successful bid was compiled by Nottingham City Council in partnership with Arts Council England, East Midlands, cultural organisations from across the city and Nottingham Trent University. The event takes place as Nottingham prepares for a decade of sport, hosting international cricket and bidding to become a host city for the 2018 World Cup, as well as beginning to maximise on the global reach of Robin Hood.

Press Release: 04.09.09 Nottingham City Council