Sarah Weir, who has died at the age of 65, from complications following a lung transplant, believed that art and design were central to forging a more vibrant and better-connected nation, as well as enriching people’s lives. In the lead-up to the 2012 London Olympics, as head of arts and cultural strategy at the Olympic Delivery Authority, Sarah oversaw the integration of art into the Olympic Park in east London, alongside advising on design, engineering and landscaping.
Determined to ensure that the arts were fully represented, despite not having been included in the original bid, Sarah set out to persuade the numerous stakeholders to relinquish some of their funds in support of her artistic vision. Her work culminated in over 40 artistic commissions, including Monica Bonvicini’s sculpture RUN for the Olympic Park and poetry from writers including Carol Ann Duffy, Jo Shapcott, John Burnside, Caroline Bird and Lemn Sissay that was inscribed around the park. In 2011 Sarah founded the Legacy List (now the Foundation for Future London), a charity that encourages creative connections between people and the Olympic Park, with a focus on arts and culture, education and skills.
