Isobel Siddons 2012 programme manager, Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
"Far from it. It has really shaped up in the six months since the launch when the Open Weekend's 650 events demonstrated how our Cultural Olympiad provides an opportunity for all parts of our culture sector to be involved.
We have never worked together like this before so it is impressive that so much has been achieved in a short time by a very small team at Locog. The major projects are taking shape - including Stories of the World - where nearly 60 museums and libraries have stepped forward with ambitious and creative plans to show the world the best of our collections and how we can connect people with them.
The Cultural Olympiad is a space for us to fill. It's up to all of us to come up with the great ideas."
Paul Mainds chief executive, River and Rowing Museum
"Rowing is a wonderful sport involving close team work towards a finish line that none of the rowers can see. In Our Sporting Life we are quite clear about the direction we are taking amid uncertainty and debate all around us.
We will ask the public who or what inspires them about sport. Inspiration, celebration, youth, legacy and welcoming the world are all clear messages, and if they are the signposts towards 2012 and its legacy years, we know what to do.
We have the cooperation of Locog, and those who carp should recognise the immense challenge of a cultural project to a scale and timetable that has never before been achieved."
Brian Hayton cultural consultant
"The problem is that the Cultural Olympiad didn't have a strong raison d'etre in the first place. There was no progress beyond the concept stage before it fell into the hands of people who needed urgently to create "delivery mechanisms" and "project milestones" for the main Olympic Games.
They pressed ahead and the Cultural Olympiad concept was swept along in the sports-related enthusiasm, despite the fact that no one understood what was required.
The result is that no one now wants to "own" it. The initial absence of any central funding spoke volumes, as does the waxing and waning of weak "flagship" ideas such as the Live Sites Programme. It needs a champion at governmental level to give it new life."
Mark Taylor director, Museums Association
"On bad days I despair of the cultural world's ability to see the glass half empty rather than half full. Yes the Olympics pose some challenges but surely we should see it as a huge opportunity? Do we really want to be the ones at the back whinging and saying we need more money?
Unlike some other cultural sectors, museums are rising to meet the challenge. The Stories of the World initiative is looking good and covering many museums and much of the UK.
The rest of the Cultural Olympiad seems less clear and the Inspire programme needs to be better promoted but this is not about money, it is about ambition and vision and it is good to see MLA showing these characteristics."
"Far from it. It has really shaped up in the six months since the launch when the Open Weekend's 650 events demonstrated how our Cultural Olympiad provides an opportunity for all parts of our culture sector to be involved.
We have never worked together like this before so it is impressive that so much has been achieved in a short time by a very small team at Locog. The major projects are taking shape - including Stories of the World - where nearly 60 museums and libraries have stepped forward with ambitious and creative plans to show the world the best of our collections and how we can connect people with them.
The Cultural Olympiad is a space for us to fill. It's up to all of us to come up with the great ideas."
Paul Mainds chief executive, River and Rowing Museum
"Rowing is a wonderful sport involving close team work towards a finish line that none of the rowers can see. In Our Sporting Life we are quite clear about the direction we are taking amid uncertainty and debate all around us.
We will ask the public who or what inspires them about sport. Inspiration, celebration, youth, legacy and welcoming the world are all clear messages, and if they are the signposts towards 2012 and its legacy years, we know what to do.
We have the cooperation of Locog, and those who carp should recognise the immense challenge of a cultural project to a scale and timetable that has never before been achieved."
Brian Hayton cultural consultant
"The problem is that the Cultural Olympiad didn't have a strong raison d'etre in the first place. There was no progress beyond the concept stage before it fell into the hands of people who needed urgently to create "delivery mechanisms" and "project milestones" for the main Olympic Games.
They pressed ahead and the Cultural Olympiad concept was swept along in the sports-related enthusiasm, despite the fact that no one understood what was required.
The result is that no one now wants to "own" it. The initial absence of any central funding spoke volumes, as does the waxing and waning of weak "flagship" ideas such as the Live Sites Programme. It needs a champion at governmental level to give it new life."
Mark Taylor director, Museums Association
"On bad days I despair of the cultural world's ability to see the glass half empty rather than half full. Yes the Olympics pose some challenges but surely we should see it as a huge opportunity? Do we really want to be the ones at the back whinging and saying we need more money?
Unlike some other cultural sectors, museums are rising to meet the challenge. The Stories of the World initiative is looking good and covering many museums and much of the UK.
The rest of the Cultural Olympiad seems less clear and the Inspire programme needs to be better promoted but this is not about money, it is about ambition and vision and it is good to see MLA showing these characteristics."
