By Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 12th July 2023)- “ ‘Unlocking Your potential: Fueling the Creative Power’. That is the theme that has guided us to this point; the birth of the creative economy.” So said the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of The Creative Economy and Entertainment and The Arts, Valencia Syder, during remarks made during a press conference held as a lead up to the launch of the Creative Economy (referred to globally as the Orange Economy) on Tuesday 11th July 2023, at the St.
Kitts Marriott Resort located in Frigate Bay. She described the creative economy as a “vast field”. As gathered, the creative field here in St. Kitts-Nevis is divided into ten (10) sectorsperforming arts, film and media, tradition bearers, visual arts and crafts, culinary arts, cosmetic arts, literary arts, gaming and innovation, service providers and arts administration.
Syder pointed at the objectives of the creative economy. According to her: “The creative economy is responsible for promoting and supporting the growth of creative and cultural industries within the Federation. Creative and cultural industries encompass a broad range of sectors including visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, culinary arts, media, entertainment and our heritage.
These sectors contribute to the overall tourism industry in our country which is a major contributor to the economy. The department’s main goal are to foster creativity, celebrate diversity and enrich the lives of residents and the visitors through arts, culture and our heritage.
We also seek to encourage innovation and drive economic growth within the creative sector. Unfortunately, many persons view the creative industry as mere hobbyists and as an informal sector due to the cultural mindsets within the arts and the ignorance of career development and economic viability of the industry.
This perspective only brought lack of resources and appreciation for the creatives.” – LOCAL NEWS – 3 She went on to applaud the Minister of The Creative Economy and Entertainment and The Arts, saying “It is in this regard that the honourable Samal Duggins, a creative himself adequately understood the potential and vision of this industry thus creating the Department of Creative Economy.” Syder shared that the institution was developed in August 2022, by the merging of what once was the St. Kitts Department of Culture and the Department of Entertainment and Talent Development.
“This change highlights the need for a shift in the cultural mindset of both the public and internal stakeholders towards recognizing the value and potential of creative and cultural industries in contributing to the overall economic success of our country,” she noted. Meanwhile, Minister Duggins, in delivering remarks, expressed delight on the occasion as he commented that “last year when we started the concept of what this was to be, it was really envisioning ‘How do we move our creative sector forward and ensure that our people, especially our creative sector, could benefit from their creativity and their art?’…” He continued: “and we recognize that’s not an easy feat simply because it’s a cultural problem where people see the creative sector as just a hobbyist sector, and I wanted something that changed the mindset and so the term creative economy I think was apt simply because just with the term along you understand we consider the economic value of our art and creativity and I think just by uttering that people understand that you are coming with a different mindset and approach.
And to see that being rolled out here today eleven months after, I am pleased…” The grand launch of the Department of Creative Economy is slated to take place on Friday 28th July, at the Taxi Parking Lot, Port Zante in Basseterre. A Creatives Expo (11:00AM), official ceremony(6:00PM) and concert (8:00PM) are scheduled.
Front Page Photo: (Right to Left) Local entertainer Casim ‘Rucas HE’ Pemberton gives a presentation to introduce the Creative Economy anthem dubbed ‘Together’ (featuring himself, Dejour and Nicha B )during a press conference held as a lead up to the launch of the Creative Economy on Tuesday 11th July 2023 at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort while Director of the Creative Economy Roberitine Webbe and Minister of The Creative Economy and Entertainment and The Arts look on.(Photo Credit: Facebook/SKNIS)
