NORWICH.-The East of England shakes up the visual art world this summer with an exhilarating range of international artists from Louise Bourgeois and Marc Quinn to Mariano Pensotti and Matthew Darbyshire, in a celebration of contemporary visual art.

Contemporary Art Norwich (CAN09), delivered for the first time by Norfolk & Norwich Festival, will stage exhibitions, performances, residencies, commissions, site specific and large-scale live art events. CAN09 launches on 11th July with the opening of the highly acclaimed EASTinternational 2009 and runs throughout the summer bringing over 100 artists from across Europe and the world to Norwich. The seven CAN09 partners are Norfolk & Norwich Festival, EASTinternational, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Norwich Arts Centre, OUTPOST Gallery and Norfolk Contemporary Art Society.

Artistic Director for the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Jonathan Holloway said, “I love Contemporary Art Norwich. It is where we get the chance to re-experience our worlds in a completely new way; where the hum drum becomes beautiful, moving or terrifying; where what is concealed breaks into our lives in the most unexpected of ways. This region has been known for the richness of its artistic talent and endeavour for a long time. 2009 is the year when the East of England shakes up the visual art world with a new confidence and brings together a remarkable breadth of work that you simply wouldn’t see anywhere else.”

Contemporary Art Norwich 2009 runs from 11th July – 31st August 2009 at venues across Norwich. Supported by Arts Council East, Norwich City Council and Norwich University College of the Arts. To find out more visit www.nnfestival.org.uk/Contemporary-Art-Norwich