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The Mayor of London has outlined his plans to enhance Londoners' experience of arts and culture in the capital, including better provision in the outer boroughs, measures to improve music and art education and a drive to reduce red tape and to support creative and grassroots talent.

Published today, 'Cultural Metropolis – The Mayor's Priorities for Culture 2009-2012', also reveals plans for The Story of London, a major celebration of the city's people, its past present, and future, which will take place across the capital in June 2009. And it states that the 2012 Games should be used as a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop a high quality cultural legacy, through projects such as the art commissions set to be integrated into the Olympic Park.

Mayor Boris Johnson says: 'I want to maintain the capital's status as one of the great world cities for culture and creativity.  My job is not to back heritage over modernism, nor to allow the destruction of much-loved old buildings. It is to encourage all manner of artistic expression, in the knowledge that culture is not just an add-on to the necessity of modern politics.

'I want to see better access and provision for people in the outer boroughs, where it can be very patchy. And we must capitalise on the opportunities offered by the 2012 Games to create a cultural legacy for all Londoners.'

Initiatives to improve access in the outer boroughs include plans for the London Film Day, working with Film London, which will offer film screenings and events at a range of venues across the capital in 2009. Funding has been given to the London Jazz Festival, enabling it to put on musical performances in the outer boroughs for the first time.

There will be a big drive to improve music education for young people. A musical instruments amnesty is underway, backed by Julian Lloyd-Webber, asking Londoners to pledge their old instruments to young learners. The Mayor is also giving support to Children's Art Day in 2009, with the aim of increasing young people's experience of the visual arts.

Munira Mirza, Director of Culture Policy: 'We want young people to get every opportunity to experience culture, to understand it, and to know it is for them. We passionately believe that we must not patronise them but rather help them to understand and experience great art in all its variety: from western classical music to Latin American jazz; from paintings by old masters to new media installations by contemporary artists.'

London's cultural and creative sector makes a vital contribution to the economy. In 2002 the creative industries added £21 billion to London's output and by 2005, 12 per cent of all London workers - 554,000 people - were creatively employed. Over 15 million overseas tourists come to London each year - five million more than go to Paris or New York - together with ten million domestic visitors and 150 million day trippers. Seven out of ten say that London’s cultural offer influenced their decision to visit.

It is also a motivating factor for businesses setting up in the capital. The Mayor believes that London must continue to find ways to nurture the arts and create the conditions for culture and creativity to thrive, particularly during the economic downturn, to ensure continuity when the economy improves:

'There are tough times ahead, but I am committed to helping the cultural sector cope. For it to flourish and for people to be creative, we need to be brave with funding and bold in our vision. We will look at how to target business and training support to creative industries and we need to make sure red tape and funding pressures do not obstruct artistic progress, especially for smaller grassroots organisations.'

The publication of Cultural Metropolis coincides with the first meeting of the London Cultural Strategy Group, chaired by Whitechapel Director Iwona Blazwick, and involving a number of key people from across the cultural field, it will advise the Mayor on taking forward the plans and in the development of his full Culture Strategy next year.

Iwona Blazwick OBE, Director, Whitechapel Gallery says: 'London is one of the world's crucibles of culture. Its energy and cosmopolitanism have combined with its great traditions in architecture, art, cinema, dance, design, literature, music and theatre to make it the 21st Century's most vibrant arts centre. I am delighted to take on the role of Chair of the London Cultural Strategy Group. I will be working closely with the Mayor to champion the city's incredible cultural offer, to ensure it retains its high profile on the world stage. The Cultural Metropolis plan offers a wealth of ideas to nurture and enhance artistic excellence. I want us to maximise the once in a lifetime opportunities that 2012 will bring and to see improved access to culture right across the capital.'

The Mayor's office will work with arts organisations, the boroughs, businesses, and agencies, such as the London Development Agency, Arts Council England, Museums and Libraries Association and Visit London, to address gaps and social barriers, develop new talent and promote what the city has to offer.

Nicholas Kenyon, Managing Director of the Barbican Centre, comments: 'Good for Boris. We welcome the Mayor's recognition that London's cultural life is uniquely thriving and diverse, and his aspiration to make the most of the City as a world-class cultural centre. The aim of bringing the arts at the highest level to all, especially supporting a newly coordinated approach to music education, will animate the City in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics and far beyond.'

Manick Govinda, Head of Artists' Advisory Services at Artsadmin in Tower Hamlet, says: 'The document makes an important intention to move away from divisive strategies and policies towards a more complex enquiry about addressing the barriers that prevent many Londoners from engaging with excellent and cutting edge arts practice. I am particularly heartened to see it addressing the need for deeper, longer-term strategies and investment to deliver quality and rigorous teaching of art and music in London's state schools.'

Tony Hall, Chief Executive Royal Opera House, adds: 'Culture and a cultural legacy was an integral part of the 2012 London Olympic win, and it's wonderful to see real projects and investments already being made. The arts have the most amazing power to inspire, uplift and revitalise communities and make a real difference to people's lives. Boris's plans for our great city are very exciting and should be warmly embraced.'