2012 Inspire Mark for Blue Touch Paper Carnival

Council carnival project officially recognised by London 2012

A groundbreaking carnival project supported by Isle of Wight Council has been awarded the Inspire Mark by the organisers of London 2012, making it an official part of the Cultural Olympiad.

The council-run Carnival Learning Centre is working with the West Sussex Arts Partnership on a project called Blue Touch Paper Carnival which will bring disabled and non-disabled people together to share skills and produce top quality carnival displays.

Blue Touch Paper Carnival is the first council supported project in the country to receive the highly prestigious Inspire Mark which means the project can carry the 2012 Games logo.

Chris Slann, Isle of Wight Council Carnival Centre Development Manager said: “This is fantastic news for carnival and we are really excited to be officially part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. Never before have disabled and non-disabled people come together in this way to develop and produce carnival on such a large scale.”

Cllr David Pugh, Isle of Wight Council Leader with responsibility for adult and community learning said: “As a council we are extremely pleased to be supporting such a groundbreaking project which has been selected to be part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. Our Carnival Learning Centre has played a major role in raising the profile of carnival nationally and is recognised as leading the way in making carnival more accessible to all.”

The project will build over the next three years to ensure everyone involved will be ready for 2012 when the Olympics and Paralympics come to the UK

As part of the London 2012 Open Weekend, which marks the three year countdown to the opening ceremony in London, the Carnival Learning Centre hosted a special ‘Blue It Up!’ Event, with carnival drumming, dance, rapping and costume making activities for an integrated audience.

Read all about the project here and visit our gallery page for pics of Blue it Up!

www.btpcarnival.co.uk

http://www.london2012.com/about/our-brand/inspire-programme.php