Power tussle threatens arts Olympics - gurdaian reports on political row hindering top Cultural Olympiad job
Date uploaded: January 20, 2010
Excerpt taken from the article by Vanessa Thorpe, arts and media correspondent, The Observer, Sunday 10 January 2010
It is the big arts job of the new decade, a chance to showcase British talent on an unprecedented international platform. Yet the lengthy search for the right person to lead the festival of entertainment and art surrounding the 2012 London Olympics has exposed a political fault line.
The key appointment, due to have been made before Christmas, has been the target of intense lobbying. While many have not yet heard of the Cultural Olympiad, the coveted role of running this arts event is now the centre of a power struggle fuelled by the presence of a Conservative London mayor and expectation of the election of a Conservative government later this year.