This polyester banner promoted the 'Sydney 2000 Olympic Arts Festival', a cultural program of around 400 events held in Sydney from 18 August to 1 October 2000. This was the last of four festivals to celebrate the arts and the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The banner, which was probably made by Selby's Flags & Banners in Sydney, appeared at one of many venues that hosted the events. (Selby's Flags & Banners manufactured most banners for the Olympic arts festivals and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.)

Adelaide artist, Adrian Adams, developed the banner design in 1997 when he completed all creative work for the four Olympics arts festivals. This particular design represents the Olympic rings against an orange background with white lines twisting and converging across the design surface. A purple border offsets the white headline that reads, 'Olympics arts festival'. This banner complements a similar example in the Sydney 2000 Games Collection (2001/84/373).

From early 1997 to late 2000, the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games hosted four successive programs that promoted the Australian arts and the Olympic Games. 'Festival of the Dreaming' (15 September to 5 October 1997) celebrated Indigenous arts and artists; 'A Sea Change' (30 April 1998 to January 1999) reflected Australia's social, cultural and geographical landscapes; 'Reaching the World' (December 1998 to January 2000) exhibited Australian arts around the world; and the 'Sydney 2000 Olympic Arts Festival' (18 August to 1 October 2000) invited Australian artists to celebrate the life of Sydney.

Under the artistic direction of Leo Schofield, the Sydney 2000 Olympics Arts Festival combined performances in music, opera, visual arts, theatre, film and dance. These events were held at venues across Sydney with a focus on the Sydney Opera House and its forecourt. Newly commissioned works meshed with the well- known to reflect the cultural fusion in Sydney during the Games. The end of the festival on 30 October coincided with the close of the Olympic Games.

Adelaide artist, Adrian Adams, developed the banner design in 1997 when he completed all creative work for the four Olympics arts festivals.

The banner was probably made by Selby's Flags & Banners in Sydney that manufactured most banners for the Olympic arts festivals and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The banner was used to promote the Sydney Arts Festival from 18 August to 1 October 2000. It appeared at one of the many venues that hosted this cultural program.

The banner was made for and owned by the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, and were donated to the Powerhouse Museum after the Games.

Banner, Olympic Arts Festival, polyester, possibly made by Selby's Flags and Banners, Sydney, Festival logo designed by Adrian Adams, Adelaide, 1997, used at the Olympic Arts Festival 18 August to 1 October 2000

Banner, Olympic Arts Festival polyester vertical banner. The top 2/3 of the banner is orange with oblique lines in yellow and red. The Olympic rings are featured at the top of the banner in white. The bottom 1/3 of the banner is two shades of purple. There is a panel of light purple and the rest of the banner is dark purple with oblique lines of light purple. White text in dark purple panel 'Olympic / Arts / Festival'. Rope sewn into the left side seam of the banner allows five plastic hooks to attach down the left side of the banner.

Made: 1997

2001/84/487

1997

1480 mm