OF WOAC
The "Olympic Arts" were created to take up the artistic competitions that had been initiated in ancient Greece, in 566 BC.
The "Olympic Arts" were created to take up the artistic competitions that had been initiated in ancient Greece, in 566 BC.
* The generic tittle became "Arts de l'Olympe / Olymp'Arts" in 2016, with the IOC agreement.
In the ancient Greek calendar, every four years, the third year after each sport olympiad, global art activities were organized and promoted at some sacred spot.
Artists all over the world, amateur and professional, are invited without any age or cultural restrictions.
All existing art disciplines will be covered.
The main goal of OLYMP'ARTS is to show the main role of art in building a better world. The purpose is to bring people from different cultural backgrounds together and surround the works that can reflect unique values, such as Universality, Aesthetics, Harmony and Non-violence, proving that art is the carrier of deep and persistent values.
In addition to its etymology, one of the goals of OLYMP'ARTS is to provide an opportunity for talented artists lacking the necessary means of spreading their message to become recognized global artists.
The OLYMP'ARTS trophy will be awarded to some of the best works after selection on the specified website (under development) according to the specified general competition rules.
Each Modern OLYMP'ARTS competition will assign a theme to all artists to facilitate their efforts to develop their inspiration and creativity to purely human and universal values.
The highest international decision-making bodies will guarantee the impartiality of their activities and will respect the stated purposes.
Marc Verriere
Founding President
On July 10-11, 1995, with the support of the United Nations (UN), UNESCO, and the “International Olympic Committee Centenary Congress - Paris 1994”, the Constituent Assembly of the World Olymp'Arts Council was held at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris. The founding president, Marc Verriere, along with 68 representatives from 65 countries and regions, jointly signed the Founding Charter.
In 2016, we modified the universal term representing our founding origins from “Olympic” to “OLYMP'ARTS”, echoing the shape of our logo that symbolizes Mount Olympus. In fact, this global arts revival event, the “arts olympiads”, established based on the ancient Greek calendar, has always belonged to our organization (registered in France's National Institute of Industrial Property INPI in 1992 and updated in 2015), and is independent from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The aims that we change our name is to clarify our relationship with the sports field and to avoid confusion over the terminology in the branding name. The IOC officially approved this change on February 12, 2016.
In 1995, during the Constituent Assembly of “Olympic Art” held by UNESCO, a group of visionary artists, cultural workers, dignitaries, and diplomats actively participated in our establishing process. Their enthusiasm and dedication not only laid a solid foundation for the World Olymp'Arts Council but also infused our mission with powerful momentum. We understand that it is due to the support and contributions of these founding members that "OLYMP'ARTS" has been able to take root and flourish in the global arts field. We will forever remember their contributions and continue to carry forward their mission and ideals.
FOUNDING
MEMBERS
Several internationally renowned artists supported and sponsored the creation of the first Modern Olympic Arts in 1995.
Their fame, along with their artistic and moral endorsement, significantly contributed to demonstrating to the world how this historical revival met the real expectations of artists from all countries. These Olympic Arts will serve as a reminder of the priority needs of humanity, which aspires to beauty and harmony, rejects violence, and strives for universal peace. Artists are the messengers of the invisible worlds around us, and they have the power to imagine, create, and materialize universal works that will help humanity develop positively for the good of our planet.
In 1995, when we established "Olympic Arts" at UNESCO, some friends provided us with valuable financial support in their personal capacity. These generous donations not only helped us achieve the goal of launching this great endeavor but also laid a solid foundation for future development. Their support reflects a trust and deep concern for the ideals of Olympic Arts, which will forever inspire us to keep moving forward. We will always remember their names and express our heartfelt gratitude to them. We are committed to advancing the Olympic Arts movement and the flourishing of the global arts field in order to repay their trust and contributions.
Since the proposal of the “Revival of Olympic Arts” initiative, we have received enthusiastic responses from numerous authoritative organizations, including the United Nations (UN), UNESCO, and the French Presidential Office, expressing their support and recognition of our goals. This widespread participation not only demonstrates the power of art but also highlights humanity's shared commitment to pursuing a better future. We sincerely express our appreciation to all those involved and look forward to collaborating with more organizations and individuals in the future to advance the development of the global arts community.