Jamaicans Encouraged to Enter 2018 Performing Arts Competition

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) is encouraging talented Jamaicans to submit entries for the 2018 Performing Arts Competition and traditional folk forms by the deadline of Friday, December 1, 2017.

Entry forms and rules and guidelines are available on the JCDC website, www.jcdc.gov.jm, its head office at 3-5 Phoenix Avenue, Kingston 10; and all JCDC parish offices islandwide.

Director of Marketing and Public Relations, JCDC, Stephen Davidson, told JIS News that the JCDC had begun accepting entries for the competition in October this year. Entries are being submitted in the areas of music, speech, drama, dance and traditional folk forms.

“I know we will still accept entries at the auditions, which begin in January, but we want to organise ourselves and for persons to be prepared, so it is best for them to meet the first deadline, Friday, December 1, 2017,” he said.

Mr. Davidson noted that training workshops will be held across the island to prepare individuals for the competitions. The workshops, organised by the JCDC, are open to individuals, teachers, students, community groups, youth clubs, social clubs, performing arts clubs and church groups that are interested in developing their performing arts talent.

He said the mission of the JCDC is to unearth, develop and showcase the creative talents and cultural expressions of the Jamaican people.

“We find raw talent, and then the development has to happen in terms of getting persons to a very acceptable standard that can be presented to the public and the global audience. So, the training is very important,” he emphasised.

“The workshops are at the foundation of what we do. We are into arts development and training, and so a very important part of what we do is to ensure that we train individuals in the various areas of the performing arts,” he added.

Mr. Davidson said the workshops will be conducted by experts with years of experience in the performing arts area, as well as JCDC Development Specialists.

Meanwhile, JCDC Parish Manager of the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Office, Paulette Sutherland, told JIS News that workshops in the parish will commence with traditional folk forms on November 7 and 8.

Music workshops will be held on November 14 and 15, while dance will be on November 16. Also, speech will be on November 21, while drama and stand-up comedy will be on November 29 and November 30, respectively.

She said the workshops are held to address weaknesses, so that the quality of the competition will improve.
“Each year, there are new entrants to the competitions, so these workshops help them to have a better understanding of the rules and guidelines that are outlined in the Performing Arts

Handbook, and keep up to date with the latest trends and strategies in the various forms,” she said.

The cost for the workshop is $2,500.00 per person per day, and $1,000.00 per student. This includes the cost for meals, resource materials and a certificate of participation. Persons are asked to confirm their participation early so that the necessary arrangements can be made to accommodate them.