Festival 2012, which is funded by The National Lottery and the British Council, will occur between 9 June and 9 September 2012 to coincide with the Olympic Games in London.
A variety of art, music and film events are poised to take place at venues across the UK in an attempt to showcase the country's talent.
Mackensie, who answers to a board chaired by Royal Opera House chief executive Tony Hall, said she is far from naming commissions, or exact details of the event at this stage.
"It will be exceptional and suprising and will amaze us all," she added.
Hall commented: "There will be no political inteference. If you look at the people on the board, we're not going to be told what to do."
The Cultural Olympiad is a tradition of encouraging cultural activity surrounding an Olympic Games, dating back to 1896. The 29th began in 2008.
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