First London Design Festival
20 - 28 September 2003
www.londondesignfestival.com
20 - 28 September 2003
Details of the first London Design Festival, an innovative annual event which want to promote and celebrate London as the creative capital of the world, have been revealed the 25 March 2003.
This year’s Festival runs from 20 - 28 September. With the unique collaboration of over 30 organisations, an exciting programme of openings, exhibitions, receptions, seminars, screenings, lectures, tours and parties is planned.
The inaugural World Creative Forum will be launched during the Festival. This two and a half day conference on 23/24/25 September, for delegates from around the world, will explore the impact of creativity on business and society. The Forum aims to make London the annual focal point for the development of new ideas about creativity by attracting an international network of key people from design, business, science, education and the arts.
The Festival kicks off with London Open House weekend, followed by a stimulating series of events and activities which will be staged by Festival partners. Activities for the following partners have being announced: 100% Design and 100% Detail; The Museum of London; the Royal Society of Arts; the CBI; the DBA; the Design Museum; Designers Block; the National Portrait Gallery; D&AD; the CSD; the Barbican; the Victoria and Albert Museum; the London Institute; the Royal College of Art; the Helen Hamlyn Research Centre; the Royal Institution; the RIBA and the Crafts Council.
Many other leading organisations are supporting and/or planning events and activities. These include: the British Council; Trade Partners UK; the Design Council; APGDI; NESTA; Central London Partnership; Channel 4; London Tourist Board; as well as government departments, including the DTI and DCMS.
John Sorrell, originator of the Festival and its chairman, said:
“I believe London is unique in its amazing range of creative talent, especially in design. It’s about time we had an annual event which celebrates and promotes London as the creative capital of the world and as the gateway to the UK’s brilliant creative industries.
The Festival will be stimulating and great fun, but through events such as the World Creative Forum, it will also provide an international focal point for new thinking about the impact of creativity on business and society. This will enhance our international reputation and has the potential to help create new work, new jobs and new inward investment”.
The Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport said:
"I have always sought to encourage design and creative organisations to work more closely together. The London Design Festival is doing exactly that. This partnership approach is key to demonstrating the major regenerative power of design and creativity on both the economy and the quality of life of communities."
Sir Terence Conran said:
"London is rightly recognised as one of the world's great creative centres and the World Creative Forum is a fantastic celebration of this. It should be an opportunity for informed and lively debate, to learn and share knowledge and act as the catalyst for making London the creative capital of the world."
Lord Puttnam said:
"Britain's creative industries are not some glitzy bit-player in the UK economy, they are increasingly important as exporters and wealth creators. The London Design Festival will, I believe, both promote and enable opportunity for the wealth of creative talent we have here."
Dame Judith Mayhew of the London Development Agency, said:LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL
“London is the world capital for design. It is one of the fastest growing sectors in London and has a major impact on the capital’s economic base. We want to support the Festival in strengthening the design and creative sectors, attracting inward investment and encouraging new, young talent.”
www.londondesignfestival.com
