Launch of Nevis Cultural Development Foundation opens a new era
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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Halstead Byron, Director of Culture, Nevis
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CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - TO ensure proper coordination and management of the arts and cultural activities in Nevis, the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) officially launched the Nevis Cultural Development Foundation at a ceremony held at the Nevis Cultural Centre last evening.
The Ordinance for the establishment of the Foundation was passed last year by the NIA. Nevis’ Premier Joseph Parry officially launched the Foundation and said the staff that previously managed the Culturama Secretariat has been seconded to the Foundation. Parry said the Foundation would harmonise the arts and culture development on the island.
The Premier said the secondment of the Culturama Secretariat staff was through open dialogue and consensus. He said his Cabinet had approved the appointment of members on the Foundation’s Board.
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Foundation Staff
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Hon. Parry said the Foundation was an economic venture that would boost tourism and help preserve Nevis culture: “I am happy to identify myself and all members of the Government with it (the Foundation).”
Mr. Parry, in his address, paid tribute to the departed cultural icons and artistes who had preserved the Nevis heritage and thanked individuals and groups that had volunteered over the years to ensure that the island’s culture was preserved.
The Foundation, he said, would relieve government of the burden to subsidise the Culturama Secretariat, noting the Foundation would attract regional and international funding. The Premier also said the Foundation would bridge the gap between Culturama Secretariat and the Department of Culture and ensure there will not be any duplication of resources. The Foundation will also ensure first class presentation of the arts and culture.
Minister of Culture Hensley Daniel said a cross-section of other islands in the region had established cultural foundations and cited St.Lucia and Barbados. He said Nevis’ artistes had lead the way in preserving culture. He called on Nevisians to take culture seriously and pointed out that culture, when integrated into all spheres of lives, makes nations economically viable. ~~Adz:Left~~
“We cannot develop economically without valuing our culture. There is need to integrate culture into all sector,” he said, adding culture was the art of completing a human being. He said the Foundation’s establishment would ensure endowments of Nevis’s possessions and, “We needed to translate our talk into action…let’s give the Foundation an opportunity to work.” Hon. Daniel said the Foundation would bring order and systematic development of Nevis culture.
Tanya Powell is the newly appointed Nevis Cultural Development Foundation’s CEO with effect from April 1, 2008, who will also oversee the management of the administration, finance and marketing arm of the Foundation.
Premier Parry also announced that Director of Culture Halstead ‘Sooty’ Byron is the Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors and Board Members are Lyra Richards, Patricia Jeffers, Lornette Queely, Livingstone Liburd, Lorette Brand-Willatt, Maurine Adams, Monica Tyson and Stevyn Bartlette.
Antonio Liburd, who gave the vote of thanks, will continue to manage the Festivals’ Secretariat. He described the launch of the Foundation as a “historic moment”. The annual Culturama Festival remains part of his portfolio and he will also oversee the management and coordination of community festivals. The Festivals were formerly managed and organised by volunteers through committees.
According to Byron, Culturama Secretariat was not a legal entity but had been managed by very effective volunteers, “We have seen the need to set Culturama on sound footing.” He recalled several times in the early 90s when volunteers had taken overdrafts on behalf of the Secretariat to ensure that activities were carried out as planned. “Culturama Secretriat did not have legal standing until this year. Culturama could not enter any contract on its own. From April 1, 2008 Culture Department and Culturama Secretariat will be one entity.”
Byron said Ms. Powell was well versed in the arts and culture and was familiar with the Culturama and West Indian festivals as well as the required expertise to manage the Foundation’s administration, finance and marketing. “We needed somebody to manage money and human resources…to make the Foundation economically viable. This will make the government put less and less into the Foundation.” Byron also said the Foundation would work closely with the Nevis Conservation and Historic Society (NCHS) to help preserve the heritage of Nevis.
The Foundation will function through four departments – the Festivals’ Secretariat, Creative Arts which will be headed by Diane Hobson, Research and Documentation to be headed by Chesley Davis, and the Administration/Marketing and Finance Department.
Entertainment during the Foundation’s launch ceremony was provided by Santoy Barrett, Brendon Claxton, Cake Walk Dancers, Lloyd Williams, Rhythm Dance Theatre, Afrikana Drummers, Venelle Powell, Amba Trott and Masquerades.
