Gov’t to strengthen entertainment, culture, creative industries
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, Olivia Grange, has announced the government's dedication to fortifying Jamaica's entertainment, culture, and creative industries.
With a budget allocation of $15.4 billion for the 2023/24 period, Grange noted that one-third of this sum is designated for her ministry. Despite a slight increase in the 2024/25 budget cap, she aims to secure additional funding for programmes and projects.
Grange called for unified efforts in addressing matters related to these industries to manage limited resources more efficiently.
She spoke at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston during the British Council's Future of Creativity Symposium, organised in partnership with her ministry, the Ministry of Education and Youth, the National Education Trust, and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).
To date, $1 billion has been allocated for local film and animation development. Grange mentioned that a film fund would enable the activation of a Jamaica/United Kingdom co-production agreement while plans for a similar agreement with Canada are underway.
"The future of creativity is promising," Grange said. "Collectively, we must ensure formal economic structures prioritize culture in our knowledge economy, driven by digital literacy and bolstered by advanced education."
PIOJ Director General Dr Wayne Henry emphasised that Jamaica's cultural and creative industries have yet to reach their full potential for generating income and employment opportunities. He also stressed their importance for fostering inclusive economic growth and meeting the 2030 sustainable development goals.
Dr Henry highlighted that the government aims to create structures and mechanisms for promoting Jamaican cultural and creative products both locally and internationally.
He described the symposium as an opportunity to tackle obstacles hindering the development of these industries.
0 Comment