Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 23, 2015 APNU Column, Features / Columnists
(Excerpt from 2015 Budget Presentation by Hon. Nicolette Henry, M.P. Minister within the Ministry of Education)
We are our culture and tradition; if there is no culture or tradition we are no one. A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government has long recognized the critical role of culture and the arts in reflecting the
cultural mosaic of a nation. The richness of our history provides fertile ground for the cultivation of a diverse repertoire of literature, music, dance and theatre arts that are unique to our beautiful country and our beautiful people. This is indeed the essence of our cultural and national identity.
The preservation, protection, conservation and respect of our heritage in particular our historic sites, artefacts and old traditions, support for national festivals and the strengthening of our schools of dance, art, music, theatre arts and drama all constitute essential components of the focus this Government has given and continues to give in this area.
Our strategic approach is:
1. Policy Development – We in the Ministry of Education will create and implement a policy framework relating to cultural development.
2. Capacity Building – In this regard we will build and strengthen the institutional capacity to train persons in jobs that will support the cultural industry.
Additionally we will foster an environment that facilitates promotion and provides opportunities for people who work in the creative arts to have national, regional and international exposure. And we will also ensure that the necessary support and incentives are provided so that the talent, skill, training and entrepreneurial abilities of our people are harnessed.
Many of our Guyanese artists have excelled both in their work and entrepreneurial spirit, and they are to be applauded and emulated by our budding artists. Our Government remains committed to promoting and elevating our local artists in all spheres of endeavour that are comparable to their counterparts in other parts of the Caribbean and the world.
This government will work to create an environment for the understanding, appreciation and tolerance of various cultures. To this end $233M has been allocated to support our cultural institutions over the next four months, this includes an increased subvention to the Theatre Guild and digitization of artefacts.
Specific initiatives that will be pursued to 2020 include the integration of heritage and culture education into the school curriculum, certification of instructors and the expansion of mobile museum exhibitions into communities. These will enrich learning experiences of our young people and reinforce national pride and identity.
To the artist who designs and makes the jewellery, who lives to feel the clay between the fingers, who wakes up to apply paint to canvas or to chip away at a log to reveal the magic form of sculpture.
To the musician who lives with a song in her head and his heart, the audio technician who skilfully manipulates sounds digitally to create works of art.
To the DJ and the sound-man; I am speaking to the box boy without whom the sound system could not be loaded and transported.
The writer’s directors, actors, theatre technicians and crew through whom Guyana life is brought to the stage.
The cameraman and editor, the producer and the writer who brings our lives to the big and small screens.
The broadcaster and news writer who hones his or her craft to keep us entertained and informed.
To you who provide support services – costume construction, set construction, makeup and event management.
The graphic artists and designers.
Each one of you continues to play an enormous role in our national development. Often you feel ‘not-counted’, as we say in Guyana. I know your wait has been long for the recognition you deserve. I say to you – your possibilities are endless, there is a fresh approach to the good life in a green economy.
Many of you have been working for decades, advocating for government to take your efforts seriously. That day has come. I hear you.
I urge you within the industries not to take a ‘wait and see attitude’ but it will take the unity of the industries to make the plans successful. We are counting on your involvement as much as you are counting on ours. This is the true meaning of partnership. And we the government are committed to it.
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