Kingston, Jamaica – Jamaica’s State Minister for Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Damion Crawford, who has responsibility for the Entertainment portfolio, is expressing great enthusiasm and optimism about the work that the recently formed Entertainment Advisory Board has undertaken to move that industry forward.
Minister Crawford said the Board is committed and eager to work, and is now moving to launch the Arts in the Park initiative by the end of this year. Arts in the Park will showcase local artistes, and will include music, dance, drama, art displays and the spoken word, giving Jamaican performers the platform to expose and hone their talent through constant practice. The Minister also spoke to the issue of event rating, stating that it is “one that is high among our priorities, as well as the regulation of the industry. We are hoping to achieve these three in very short order.”
Formed earlier this year, the Board’s role is to bring industry insight to the process of successfully governing the entertainment sector. It is also mandated to make recommendations and help guide government’s policies and plans for entertainment, with a view to developing the industry.
Given the fact that there are numerous sub-sectors within the field of entertainment, several sub-committees have been established to provide guidance for these and other areas, among them music, policy, theatre, and the culinary arts. There is also a sub-committee to address travel-related matters such as those that fall under the Treaty of Chaguaramas and the banning of local artistes in certain Caricom countries.
Chaired by Kingsley Cooper, the other members of the Entertainment Advisory Board are Ibo Cooper, Christopher Daley, Charles Campbell, Dahlia Harris, Jeffrey Campbell, Sharon Burke, Patrick Barrett, Dr. Carlene Davis, Brian Schmidt, Roger Allen, Justine Henzell, Jacqueline Lynch-Stewart, Desmond Young, Orville Burrell, Dr. Dennis Howard, Ricardo Chin and Kerry-Ann Heavens.
Mr. Cooper expressed that the Board is focused on achieving its goals, adding that “I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this initiative and I know that the Board members, working in partnership with the Ministry, are committed to making the process work.”
