Discovering Places launched as part of the London 2012 Open Weekend in July 2010. Since then we’ve been working hard to develop a comprehensive programme of longer-term engagement projects, operating at both local and national levels.
Locally we’re working closely with a number of artists on projects that aim to help local communities to discover their local environment by encouraging them to think about it creatively and to see the everyday from a different perspective. This part of the programme is being developed jointly with the London 2012 Culture team for launch in summer 2011.
Discovering Places is also focusing on four major engagement projects. These will be delivered in partnership with organisations from the historic, built and natural environment sectors and will have a UK-wide reach. The projects are designed to interlink and complement each other and to link into the wider London 2012 Sustainability and Get Set programmes. Each project has been created to offer a new experience to established audiences, while attracting new audiences through the use of social media and interactive digital technology.
The four major projects and their corresponding delivery partners are:
MEET THE SPECIES
Bristol Natural History Consortium (BNHC)
http://www.bnhc.org.uk
Launching spring 2011
Meet the Species is a bona-fide scientific research project, but with a difference. It is a digital experience, online community, arts and education project, which encourages outdoor active participation. The project is based around a list of over 2000 species which has been created by a scientific committee. The project requires volunteers of all ages to search for species on the list and create authentic scientific records through a myriad of projects and initiatives designed to drive public engagement with biodiversity and open spaces.
‘Since 2003 the Bristol Natural History Consortium has been working with organisations across the UK who are passionate about the natural world. We are thrilled to be partnering with The Heritage Alliance on the Discovering Places project. This project is a real combination of our organisation’s expertise, and a first for the UK to bring together world class citizen science, the arts, and the involvement of the nation’s most exciting natural and built spaces. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to help deliver the Cultural Olympiad and through ‘Meet the Species’ we’ll be visiting every corner of the UK. We look forward to seeing you at one of our events.’
Savita Custead Chief Executive, BNHC
DISCOVER EXPLORE - Geography Collective LLP
http://thegeographycollective.wordpress.com/
Launching summer 2011
The project aims to inspire young people and their families to discover hidden, extraordinary and important historical sites and stories in cutting-edge and engaging ways. The unique collaboration between Discovering Places, Geography Collective and numerous small and medium scales historic and natural environment organisations will inspire active participation, animate spaces, raise awareness of environmental sustainability and enhance learning by linking up local heritage assets.
‘We are extremely excited to be working on this cutting edge and creative strand of Discovering Places. This project is going to open up opportunities for children and families to explore and experience places in new ways and have a great deal of fun while thare are at it. We will be uncovering heritage in ways that will demonstrate how inclusive the Cultural Olympiad and breaking ground on engaging young people with the people, places and stories of not only our pasts but our future’s past.’
Daniel Raven-Ellison, Project Director, The Geography Collective
WALK THE WORLD – Royal Geographical Society (with IGB)
http://www.rgs.org/HomePage.htm
Launching autumn 2011
Walk the World uses UK-wide connections with the 205 Olympic nations to promote exploration of local neighbourhoods and accessible spaces. 20 interactive, exemplar online walks, in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will highlight the links to the 205 nations that can be found in everyday, familiar items and places; from common-place food stuffs found on the high street to memorial plaques, buildings and open spaces. Through the downloadable walks members of the public will be encouraged to explore these physical manifestations in our landscapes and to uncover the stories behind them. An interactive digital platform will enable participants to post their own local connections and record stories of their own.
‘I am delighted that the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) will be working in partnership with The Heritage Alliance to deliver ‘Walk the World’ as part of Discovering Places. Throughout our islands we have a myriad of fascinating links with the 205 Nations – some are historical associations and others contemporary. The physical evidence is all around us, from tree species and foodstuffs to street names and building stone, and will be uncovered in walks that aim to entertain, inspire and inform, bringing fresh perspectives to our understanding of the connections between the 205 Nations and our local environments and neighbourhoods.’
Dr. Rita Gardner, CBE, Director, Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
CONTEMPORARY BUILT ENVIRONMENT
In development
Discovering Places is currently developing an engagement project around the contemporary built environment where we can show case the benefits of sustainable working, regeneration and their positive impact on the local community.
On your marks, get set …. go Open Weekend 2011
The weekend of 22nd to 24th July 2011 marks ONE YEAR TO GO. As the momentum to the games increases and as the rest of the Olympic Nations begin to look to London and the UK – let’s show them that we are ready and we are excited. Open Weekend starts the UK wide celebration to show case the best culture, art and sport that your community has to offer.
This is your chance to be part of the Cultural Olympiad and shine a light on our rich heritage, stunning natural environment and diverse built landscapes to reach new audiences.
In 2010 Discovering Places successfully launched as part of Open Weekend with over 100 events. We have profiled some of these events later in the newsletter. This year we are joining forces again with Open Weekend to profile the historic, natural and built Environment events.
The registration and participation is much simpler this year in response to your feedback. All events will be Open Weekend events and carry the Open Weekend branding. Discovering Places will be working to encourage all of our networks to run events so that everyone can discover just how unique and inspiring our nation is.
Don’t miss this opportunity to demonstrate the talent in your local community and participate in a moment of history.
Follow the link to find out more www.london2012.com/openweekend
