Jamaica 55 to Highlight Creative Industries

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, says the country’s creative industries will be a major part of the ‘Jamaica 55’ Independence celebrations in 2017.

Speaking with the JIS News at the recently held Expo Jamaica 2016 at the National Arena, Minister Grange said the occasion will be used to highlight excellence in the arts, craft and cuisine, among other areas.

She said that artisans will be included on the Jamaica 55 planning committee to be established.

“We will be working closely with Things Jamaica, the marketing arm of the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) and other agencies to make the link with the key persons in the creative industry,” she informed.

“Someone who can use ordinary elements from their culture to make fine artistic pieces, like a calabash husk to make a canister or shells and beans to make exquisite jewellry and design artistic pieces deserve to be on display during the celebration of their country’s history and culture,” she contended.

Minister Grange said that in addition to highlighting the creativity of the Jamaican people, the celebrations will also be used to reinvigorate pride in the country.

She noted that partnerships will also be forged with key Ministries such as the Tourism and Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, to make the celebration a “holistic one.”

The Minister is encouraging persons, who have talent in the creativity area to “put their skills to use in order to preserve what is uniquely Jamaican.”