JCDC Encourages Persons to Enter Speech and Literary Arts Competition
By: , January 8, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Contributed
Students of Ardenne High School and their teachers show off the Marcus Garvey Award for Excellence they won at the National Performing Arts Excellence award ceremony, held at the Institute of Jamaica Lecture Theatre, recently. Coordinated by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, the award ceremony sees the Marcus Garvey Award for Excellence presented to the school or group that has earned the highest level of achievement in the National Festival of the Performing Arts Competition, which covers the areas: Dance, Drama, Music, Speech and Traditional Folk Forms. Ardenne High School took home the coveted award for the fourth year in a row.The Facts
- Mr. Brodber highlighted Khi Miller, Professor Mervin Morris and members of Nomadz as persons who have benefitted from the training, exposure and recognition associated with the competition.
- For the 2016 competition, the National Health Fund (NHF) is a named sponsor and persons may contact the JCDC for further details if they wish to submit an entry for that category, he said.
The Full Story
The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) is encouraging persons to explore and share their talent in speech and literary arts, by entering its annual competition.
The JCDC stages an annual Festival of the Performing Arts Competition to unearth, develop and showcase the creative talents of Jamaicans.
Speech and Literary Arts Development Specialist, Andrew Brodber, told JIS News in an interview that not many persons have challenged themselves where their talent is concerned, whether as writers or performers.
“What other platform is there where you can be who you truly are? Many persons have come through this system and have used the JCDC stage to launch their career,” he said.
Mr. Brodber highlighted Kei Miller, Professor Mervyn Morris and members of Nomaddz as persons who have benefitted from the training, exposure and recognition associated with the competition.
“This competition is unique to the region and the world…we have something of this nature that forms part of our annual independence celebrations,” Mr. Brodber outlined.
In preparation for this year’s competition, a series of creative arts workshops were hosted in December where five areas of literary arts were presented to potential participants – novel, short stories, plays, short stories and essays.
The Speech and Literary Arts Competition is open to individuals, schools, community and church groups, youth, social and performing arts clubs.
Mr. Brodber also told JIS News that while persons are generally free to enter any theme, there are special themes which are sponsored and will reward winners with special prizes.
For the 2016 competition, the National Health Fund (NHF) is a named sponsor and persons may contact the JCDC for further details if they wish to submit an entry for that category, he said.
Entry forms are available online at the JCDC website at www.jcdc.gov.jm; at the JCDC Head Office located at 3-5 Phoenix Avenue, Kingston 10, and at all JCDC parish offices islandwide.
The creative or literary arts participants have until April 29 to complete and submit their written piece at their JCDC parish office, while applicants for the speech category may submit their entry forms by January 15.
For the speech category, the actual speech will be required at the audition date, which will be communicated to the applicant by the local office, Mr. Brodber said.