by Eulana Weekes
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): St. Kitts and Nevis, being one of the Caribbean Development Bank’s borrowing member states, is expected to benefit from the Creative Industries Innovation Fund.
The Board of the Caribbean Development Bank CDB on July 19, 2023 approved an injection of USD 1.8 million into its Creative Industries Innovation Fund to assist regional creatives in music, film, fashion, festivals and other areas of the industry.
Roberetine Webbe, Director within the Ministry of Creative Economy in a Press Conference on Tuesday July 11 announced that on the local level a fund will also be established to assist local creatives.
“It’s a fund created to stimulate the economic growth of the Creative Sector and contribute to the advancement of skill set and talent. It aims to finance cultural projects and programmes that are designed to develop the creative industry and train entrepreneurs. So, the grant enables persons to participate in local and overseas events, workshops, seminars and allow for training, marketing, export and product development.
Webbe added, “There will be three types of grants through what we call the CAF- that’s the Creative Arts Fund; the Product Aid, the Product Development and the Project Advancement grants. In the first phase, grants will range from $2,000 up to $15,000.”
Minister responsible for the Ministry of Creative Economy Mr Samal Duggins suggests that the time had come to rid the notion that the Creative Industry is solely about recreation; highlighting that the sector serves as a meaningful contributor to economic growth and advancement.
“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 creativity and the arts?” We recognised that’s not an easy feat, simply because it’s a cultural problem where people see the creative sector as just a hobbying sector and I wanted something that would change the mindset, so the term Creative Economy was apt, simply because on just with the term alone you understand, that we’re considering the economic value on our arts and creativity; and I think by just uttering that, people know that you’re coming with a different sense and approach.”
The Ministry of Creative Economy recognises ten sub-sectors under its realm, namely: Performing Arts, Film and Media, Visual Arts, Cosmetic Arts, Gaming and Innovation, Culinary Arts, Tradition Bearers, Literary Arts, Service Providers, and Arts Administration.
