Persons Encouraged to Engage in the Arts

The Arts is a catalyst for health, as it can help in moments when you are feeling down, says Director of Marketing and Communications at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Coleen Douglas.

Addressing the eighth staging of the National Culture Clubs Conference recently, at the Roof Terrace of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, 4-6 Trafalgar Road, Kingston, Mrs. Douglas said that listening to music and engaging in the arts can help persons who might feel that they are having “a health breakdown”.

“The therapy benefits that it gives you whether you are engaged in activities from painting, drawing, writing music and drama, you don’t have to be good at it, just experience it and it does something for your mental health,” she told the gathering of students.

The conference, organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) was held under the theme ‘Embracing Arts and Culture: The Catalyst to Overcoming Challenges in Jamaica’s Health, Security, Technology and Economic Sectors’.

Students from culture clubs across the island attended the event, which featured several activities, including the presentation of four Regional Conference Papers on the theme, an awards ceremony, live entertainment, and exhibitions by students.

Mrs. Douglas challenged young people to tap into their creativity whenever they think they might be experiencing “a lot of anxiety”.

“Tap into something creative. If you write, write more. If you sew, sew more. If you draw, draw more,” she said.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, who also spoke at the event, encouraged the students to embrace their culture.

“You must be proud of your heritage, proud of your culture, proud of your brothers and sisters,” she said.

Ms. Grange noted that Jamaica has a rich culture, which is not only about singing and dancing but also about lifestyle, food, art, creativity and music.

Culture Club members received culture passports, enabling them to access museums, cultural sites and JCDC-associated events at discounted rates.