Welcome to CREATE 09

The five host boroughs for London 2012 are home to the largest cultural quarter in Europe. Over 12,000 artists are based here alongside a growing number of leading creative companies and cultural institutions, iconic arts venues and an extraordinary range of communities.

These unique creative landscapes will come together each summer as we approach 2012. The aim is to develop the UK’s next major international arts festival – a legacy for the Olympic and Paralympic Games that will have a lasting impact on the cultural life of London and the UK.

CREATE09 is delivered by a partnership of London’s most celebrated outdoor festivals, producers, arts centres, galleries, museums and theatres. Packed full of world class, homegrown talent, there are six weeks of new and exciting events.

This year, take the opportunity to discover a new East End gallery or a museum you have never visited before; spend a day at one of the two World Heritage sites in the five boroughs; hear talks from NASA scientists, go on walks or bike rides around the changing urban environment and take part in colourful carnival processions.

This year marks the start of a series of cross-borough commissions and exciting new partnerships. These include a new music festival Young London: Into Music programmed and produced by young creatives from the five host boroughs and participatory art works from major local artists in parks, gardens and on the streets.

Other new developments include the Barbican commissioning new music, theatre and art events across the five boroughs, a major new comedy festival East by South East , launching this year and led by the Hackney Empire ; events to mark London 2012’s Open Weekend and the newly opened Whitechapel Gallery .

People of all ages, abilities and backgrounds are invited to take part in CREATE09 as well as to thoroughly enjoy what’s on offer! We hope you take the chance to explore and to play your part in creating this, the most vital part of the most exciting city in the world.