Its ambitious programme, packed full of creative events for everyone, celebrates Dorset’s status as host to the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic sailing events.
Creativity will resonate throughout the county this summer Circus performers and aerial artists will swarm Weymouth beach to deliver the ambitious three day outdoor event Battle for the Winds (26th-28th July).
Kurt Perschke’s 15ft inflatable RedBall UK (21–24 June) will pop up in four locations. Sue Austin will perform in her underwater self-propelled wheelchair in a sub-aqua theatre for Creating the Spectacle (29th August – 1st September).
300 instruments will be installed atop Portland by Pierre Sauvageot to create wind powered sound symphony, Harmonic Fields as part of Inside Out Dorset. Telepathic drawing lessons will take place in pubs and bars as part of b-side multi-media festival and Weymouth Brass will play Hywel Davies new composition during the town bridge’s daily lifts.
Alex Hartley’s Nowhereisland will float for nine days off Bowleaze Cove and 1,000 community voices from Coastal Voices will herald the opening celebrations on Weymouth beach on 27 July.
Jubilation and festivities are not the only benefits of Dorset’s largest creative celebration, it will also deliver a positive impact to the local economy, creating 54 full times jobs for the county.
Mike Hoskin, Arts Development Manager for Dorset said: "The contribution which culture makes to the economic health of the U.K.is well documented with the creative industries generating nearly 1.3 billion pounds of activity in the national economy." (Department of Culture, Media and Sport figures - Dec 2011)
The Maritime Mix programme will similarly have a significant effect on the local economy in Dorset, generating nearly 4.9 million pounds of economic benefit to the county. (Dorset County Council figures April 2012).
Research also tells us that there will be a measurable boost in local employment with 54 full time equivalent jobs created as a result of the programme and the potential for five new businesses to be created. This is a significant achievement in the current economic climate.
This will be the largest creative event to take place across Dorset and has only been possible with investment and support from Arts Council England, Legacy Trust UK and local authorities including; Dorset County Council, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council and local tourism partnerships.
For a full programme of Maritime Mix events visit www.maritimemix2012.co.uk
