Race is on for Olympic artists

Moira Sinclair hopes the suggestions will capture the spirit of London 2012

The hunt for 12 artistic projects to coincide with the London Olympics has caught the imagination - with more than 2,000 artists applying to take part.

Arts Council England is looking for a dozen original artistic ideas to receive up to £500,000 funding each.

They have received 2,163 applications. Successful projects will be commissioned across the UK.

Organisers in London said they were "bowled over by the number of unique and inspiring responses".

Suggestions for projects to be included in the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad have included:

'Magical' transformation of famous London landmarks
Illuminating unexpected spaces above and below the surface
Holding mass games played out across the capital

August shortlist

Moira Sinclair, of Arts Council England London, said: "I know the UK is a world leader in culture, but even so I'm bowled over by the number of unique and inspiring responses we've received.

The huge response to this project gives a flavour of the great things to come

Lord Coe
London 2012 chairman

"They represent an enormous range of artists and art forms and really capture the spirit of this project, which is to see artists leading us in celebrating London 2012."

She added: "I can't wait to see what's in store for each nation and region of the UK."

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said: "The Cultural Olympiad is about making the most of London 2012 to inspire new artistic, as well as sporting, achievement.

"The huge response to this project gives a flavour of the great things to come."

A shortlist of projects will be drawn up in August with winning commissions announced by the autumn.

They will be turned into reality over the next two years and all 12 will feature in a special ceremony to be held before the London 2012 opening celebrations.