London Mayor Ken Livingstone has pledged to provide funding for new arts centres in the capital and contribute towards a new international film centre on the Southbank.

The current mayor, who is looking to secure his third term as the capital's leader on May 1, launched his cultural manifesto this week, outlining several new initiatives for London.

With just over a week to go before voters go to the poll, the electoral race to become the new mayor remains finely balanced, with the latest surveys showing just a single point separating Mr Livingstone and main rival Boris Johnson.

Mr Livingstone launched his cultural manifesto at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, where he was joined by actor and playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah and actress Shobna Gulati.

He praised the capital's cultural heritage and pledged to continue investing in culture and the cultural infrastructure.

"I believe a strong and dynamic culture is vital to the quality of life of all Londoners and the future economic success of the city," he said.

"Not only does the city have a 2,000-year history reflected in its world class institutions - museums, art collections, orchestras, opera houses and theatres, it is also the most international city in the contemporary world placing it at the cutting edge of every new cultural development wherever it emerges."

In addition to his promise of building a new open-air cinema beside the Thames, the mayor said he would look at expanding the current programme of free festivals to celebrate more London communities.

Other pledges in his manifesto included:

  • To work with contemporary arts organisations to organise a major contemporary art event.
  • Working with the cultural sector to "green" the industries of film, theatre and music to both heritage and events.
  • To support a bid for the Gay Games.

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