Gov’t launches national consultation on cultural policy development
Members of the National Consultation on Cultural Policy Development team at Friday’s press conference
Members of the National Consultation on Cultural Policy Development team at Friday’s press conference

–in keeping with 2015 manifesto promise

By Shauna Jemmott
GOVERNMENT has, through the Ministry of Education (MoE), launched a national consultation process on cultural policy development, thereby keeping its promise to develop a cultural policy to secure and develop the various fragments which make up Guyana’s cultural mosaic. The consultation process took place at Cara Lodge in Quamina Street, Georgetown, on Friday.

Cultural Policy Advisor Ruel Johnson speaking at Friday’s press conference
Cultural Policy Advisor Ruel Johnson speaking at Friday’s press conference

In the joint APNU+AFC manifesto launched prior to the May 2015 National Elections, the coalition had declared it was “committed to a cultural policy which takes into account our rich and varied heritage, and which works to employ culture, not as a means of division, but as a catalyst for mutual understanding and social cohesion”.

A Ministry of Education press statement has enlightened the media on the process and action plan going forward, and projected outcomes of the consultation process and cultural policy development. Ruel Johnson, Advisor on Cultural Policy within the Ministry of Education and Cultural Development, said Guyana has only once developed a cultural policy document, in 1977, and that was written by the then Director of Creative Writing, A.J. Seymour, and was sponsored by UNESCO.

With Guyana experiencing cultural changes which see more heightened participation from various groups and in international forums, the departure of creative artists and artistes, and the refusal of some of our major creators to participate locally because of lack of relevant policy, this project is seen as vital for a breakthrough within the field.

Johnson was employed by the Ministry of Education to develop the National Cultural Policy, and he has collaborated with influential and learned stakeholders to execute the project.

Pioneer in Culture and theatre Mrs Gem Madhoo-Nascimento; fashion forerunner Sonia Noel; archaeologist Luisa Daggers; and award-winning photographer, videographer, movie producer and poet Kojo McPherson, are members of the team conducting the workshop.

From preliminary meetings with his theme and creative arts experts Stanley Greaves and Denis Ward, a framework for national consultations on cultural-policy developments was formulated, and scheduled for December 3rd to December 5th.

Johnson said the selection was based on the fact that participants are both learned and experienced artists and producers, and have a passion for their specialised fields in the culture bracket. What is also admirable about members of this team is that, despite various challenges and poor economic gains from their career love, they never left.

Mrs Madhoo-Nascimento is known for various classic theatrical productions, while Noel is Guyana’s most admired fashion icon and has created a greater avenue for designers within the Caribbean and the wider world. Louisa Daggers is an archaeologist who describes herself as a “heritage enthusiast”, and Mc Pherson has copped the 2015 Caribbean Film Academy (CAFA) screenwriting award in the Caribbean Film project with his entry, “Adero.”

Speaking at the press conference, Gem Madhoo-Nascimento said she is honoured to be part of a consultation process that is all-inclusive, and she is pleased that government has adopted such an approach to decide “how we must progress”.

She cited one of the major challenges faced in theatrical production as being stifled by lack of funding and short-changed sponsorship.

“One of [the] biggest problems has always been wanting to move forward in the industry but being stifled, not being able to gain funding or assistance from the government to move forward with a project. In that respect, you find that you have to stifle yourself in terms of what you present to the public, because you always have to think about the financial returns in doing something,” the producer told the press.

She said that with the cultural policy being all-inclusive and having funding accessible, producers can now, in a very creative manner, move forward with necessary projects.

She has a particular interest in street theatre, with an objective of discovering fresh talent — a Denzil Washington maybe — hidden somewhere in an Albouystown or other unexposed community.

There are talents “all around Guyana; (and) in whatever form, they all need to be discovered. And being able to take it out there and expose your audience” is necessary.

Madhoo-Nascimento also highlighted the fact that public space for rehearsal and training, and proper accountability for funded projects are necessary, so that all will have fair opportunities at sponsorship.

“We need to get expertise available to help groups who cannot handle their finances properly. We need to put those books in order,” she said.

She highlighted that, internationally, culture is a “big money earner”, but in Guyana, government only invests a small amount of finance in the field, while private industry competes with government for sponsorship from the private sector to execute projects.

Fashion genius Sonia Noel said she believes Guyana will benefit tremendously from the initiative. She said that, as an individual who heads an organisation which does widespread fashion education and promotion here and in the Caribbean, she finds it expensive sponsoring herself and team in the fashion industry, especially for travel; and she finds herself limited by economic challenges.

“When your budget is limited, there isn’t much you can do,” she declared.

She said her desire is to see a fashion curriculum in place, if a creative arts centre is established at the end of the policy development process. Noel also expressed disappointment at the way creative art is being disrespected, and said widespread awareness is vital, since many believe “we do it because we have nothing else to do”.

Daggers, meanwhile, said the absence of an updated policy has failed Guyanese, and the development of one will be an “instrumental tool” to guide stakeholders.

McPherson pointed out that while Guyanese in theatre excel abroad, those at home struggle for recognition. He sees the creation of the cultural policy document as a building which requires the input of all.

“I think of it as a house or dorm or mansion. Everyone has to build to make it work for the benefit of everyone,” he said.

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