EDUCATION, consistency and more support are needed to drive the creative industry in Guyana. This was highlighted on Saturday during the National Communication Network programme, The Dialogue, which forms part of the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport 54th independence anniversary activities.

The dialogue focused on the country’s creative sector and the steps needed to further develop it. Artistes such as filmmaker Kojo McPherson, educator and musician Paul Cort and the U.S.-based Guyanese singer Dallas Forte, were featured.

According to a news story from the Department of Public Information, the panellists discussed successes undertaken such as the reintroduction of Pan-O-Rama in 2009 following implementation of the Republic Bank Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme and the relaunch of the Steel Pan Builders workshop, which saw revival of the art form of pan-tuning and the Timehri Film Festival.

McPherson commended the progress of the local music industry in the country thus far; however, he noted the need for an established structure to ensure artistes properly benefit financially.

“We [Guyana] have a vast amount of raw material such as actors, singers, writers, lighting technicians and so on, but we need to have more regulation and infrastructure to do benefit,” McPherson stated.

Echoing McPherson’s sentiments, Forte noted that the content Guyanese artistes produce is often overlooked in favour of material regional and international artistes produce.
Meanwhile, Cort posited, “Building the appreciation of Guyanese artistes and their art form can only be achieved through the implementation of the various art forms at an early age, much like Trinidad and Tobago’s ‘Pan in the Classroom’ initiative.”

He noted that Guyana was initially on a good creative path in the 60s to 80s, when citizens enjoyed a wide variety of cultural activities.

“Guyanese artistes were willing to put in the work to produce quality pieces which would prove to assist in the development of our creative industry, but we have become inconsistent over time. Presently, we have a few solid musicians in Guyana, so if we want that kind of success again we will need to start from scratch,” Cort remarked.

The efforts made by former Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine in 2015, with the reintroduction of Music and Physical Education into the school system were also highlighted.
“Tertiary education in the area of music is needed for those who wish to become a singer/musician,” McPherson emphasised.