Cerebral Palsy Sport, the local organising committee for the Nottingham 2015 CPISRA World Games, has secured £79,000 in funding from Arts Council England’s National Lottery funded Grants for the arts programme for the development and delivery of a ceremonies programme for the Games being held in August 2015.
CP Sport, in partnership with City Arts, Dance 4 and Nottingham City Council submitted the bid in January 2015. The funding will enable the creation of a ceremonies programme, including Opening and Closing Ceremonies and Winners Medal Ceremonies throughout the Games and generate a lasting memory for participants and the public.
This dynamic partnership of Sports and Arts organisations will celebrate Nottingham’s hosting of an international disability sporting event and will ensure the Games become part of the hearts and minds of the people of Nottingham by bringing the celebration to a wide audience and contributing to the city’s cultural calendar.
The creative team will be disability led, with direction from Jamie Beddard, who himself has cerebral palsy and is directing the opening and closing ceremonies. Through community workshop programmes, taster events and engagement activities the project will support people of all abilities to participate in a creative arts programme.
Alison Talbot, Chief Executive of CP Sport said “Nottingham should be very proud to be championing disability sports by hosting the CPISRA World Games this year, and this arts programme is an extension of that. We hope the project will change perceptions of what can be achieved by people with a disability and promote inclusion in both the sporting environment and in the arts.”
Madeline Holmes, Creative Director of City Arts, said “We are delighted to be involved in the CPISRA World Games. They present a fantastic opportunity to bring exciting, high-quality and disability led art to Nottingham. The arts programme will involve local communities, schools and people with disabilities, helping City Arts achieve its aim of ensuring that everyone has the right to enjoy and create great art.”
Paul Russ, Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Dance4 said “Dance4 is excited to be producing the dance section of the ceremonies programme for CPISRA World Games and to be part of this experience which will be fully inclusive to the community. We are thrilled to be working partnership with City Arts, Nottingham City Council and CP Sport.”
Peter Knott, Area Director, Arts Council England, said: “The Arts Council’s ambition is for everyone to have the opportunity to enjoy the richness that the arts have to offer. The CPISRA World Games ceremony programme promises to bring a variety of high quality disability-led art to Nottingham. This will offer people the opportunity to can get involved with and celebrate great creativity and ambition.”
The Nottingham 2015 CPISRA World Games are being held at the newly developed Harvey Hadden Sports Complex with the opening ceremony taking place on the 9th August and the closing ceremony on the 15th August.
Photo credit: Anthony Hopwood