Are the Vancouver 2010 Olympics Responsible for B.C.’s missing arts funds?
The Ancient Olympic Games were held in Greece every four years and celebrated culture as much as sports. The founder of the modern Olympic movement, Pierre de Coubertin, placed an emphasis on culture as well, making it the “second pillar” of the Olympics, equal to sports. In the early 20th Century, the second pillar was honoured by hosting arts competitions that involved medals and featured art inspired by sport. In 1954 the art competitions were abandoned, leaving the second pillar’s future uncertain. The concept of a “Cultural Olympiad” was introduced in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics to revive the lost arts pillar. Vancouver’s 2010 Winter Olympics also features a Cultural Olympiad or 400 events scheduled over 2 years that feature both local and international artists and musicians, festivals and films. According to the Cultural Olympiad Program Director, Robert Kerr, “The Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad is bringing the “Second Pillar” alive through three annual festivals of arts and po
