Encompass interactive website goes live

Encompass digital dance project is connecting young people across the world and getting them dancing. 

The project is part of Dancing for the Games, which is inspired by London 2012 and part of the Cultural Olympiad in the West Midlands.  A major initiative based at William Brookes School – the only Coubertin School in the UK – Encompass looks set to put Shropshire firmly on the Olympic map. 

There are several dynamic strands to Encompass; these include an interactive online-upload site (www.encompass360.co.uk).  To participate in ‘Encompass Online’, and become part of this exciting project, people all over the world can now visit the website to capture and upload a dance video in minutes.  Users can also get inspired by Encompass experts by watching the demo dance videos online – then trying it for themselves. 

Dance uploads, from all over the world, will become part of the project’s final film, which will be showcased at a breathtaking event in a 360-degree Igloo Dome in July 2012.  This event will take place during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Much Wenlock.  The film will also be shown on BBC big screens throughout the UK during the Olympics. 

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for active and healthy lifestyles, said:

“This is a great project and it’s fitting that it is taking place in the town which inspired the revival of the modern Olympics.” 

Milner Whiteman, Shropshire Councillor for Much Wenlock, said:

“This is more good news for Much Wenlock and William Brookes School.  I do hope that many young people will able to take part in this exciting event based in the county.  We look forward to seeing Dancing for the Games on the BBC big screens throughout the UK and online during the Olympics.” 

Encompass has been funded by Legacy Trust UK, which is creating a lasting impact from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by funding ideas and local talent to inspire creativity across the UK, as well as Arts Council England and Advantage West Midlands. 

Further information

Dancing for the Games and the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad:

Dancing for the Games is part of the Cultural Olympiad in the West Midlands and is inspired by London 2012.  It is a three-year programme funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Arts Council England West Midlands and Advantage West Midlands.  Dancing for the Games uses the inspiration of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to get as many people as possible dancing across the West Midlands. 

The Cultural Olympiad in the West Midlands is already touching the lives of thousands of people.  To date some 930,000 people in the West Midlands have been involved in the Cultural Olympiad as audiences or participants, either as part of Open Weekend, the Inspire Programme, or through specific regional programmes.  For more information about the Cultural Olympiad in the West Midlands, please visit www.wmfor2012.com/culture. 

Legacy Trust UK is an independent charity set up to create a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from London 2012 in communities across the UK. 

The Trust is funded by a £40 million endowment from the Big Lottery Fund (£29m), Department for Culture Media and Sport (£6m) and Arts Council England (£5m), and is a Principal Funder of the Cultural Olympiad and London 2012 Festival. www.legacytrustuk.org