By Dacia Whaul
Some 60 artists who graduated on Thursday with Diplomas and Certificates in their respective fields—visual arts, dance, music and drama—were urged to be catalysts in the development of the various creative industries in Guyana.
Thursday marked the inaugural Convocation of what will now be known as the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA) and saw diplomas, certificates and special awards being bestowed on those who had invested time and effort in perfecting their craft at the National School of Dance, the ER Burrowes School of Art, the National School of Music and the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama. The ceremony was held at the National Cultural Centre.
In addition to the four schools now coming under the umbrella of the ICA, it was revealed that a National School of Creative Writing will be instituted from September next year and a National School of Media Arts was slated for September 2016.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Minister of Culture Dr Frank Anthony said the ICA was established to give students options. He said that though the four schools while functioning separately “served us well,” the integration was in an effort to embrace the opportunities of the twenty-first century. He said the new learning environment will make it more conducive, for the introduction of core courses in Guyanese cultural heritage to all students.
“These are necessary to build a wider and deeper appreciation of the role and benefits of culture to the individual and for our collective fulfillment,” he said. He further mentioned that the new institute will offer a better certification system, unlike the past where each school had its own standards and in some cases, after years of training, students were not certified.
“This is being corrected with the Institute of Creative Arts,” said Anthony, adding, all students enrolling in programmes offered by the schools, once they have completed the required practical and theoretical courses, will be properly examined and certified.
Additionally he said the ICA, in the near future, will be working with a number of partner institutions to have the programmes externally validated so that students can move to pursue higher degrees in other institutions.
He said the ministry’s anticipation is that with such accreditation, the ICA will become more desirable for external students. He noted that the institute was a work in progress.
Referring to the two new schools to be introduced, he said that in the interim, short courses and workshops in creative writing, design, craft, fashion, animation, film, video and photography will be conducted. Since the introduction of new programmes such as music and drama, he said, the requests to join the schools have been overwhelming and the ministry is encouraged by the interest shown.
Anthony said he hoped graduates would take up the challenge of going out into the unserved areas to teach what they have learnt. “Our quest to realise the full potential of the ICA,” he said, is driven by the belief that all Guyanese have creative potential. “We strongly believe that an artistic education cultivates in each individuals a sense of creativity and initiative.”
Graduates were told that the expectation is, through their efforts, new companies in the arts will be created and the minister called on financial lending institutions to embrace the new and emerging sectors.
The Valedictorian was Esther Hamer, Best Graduating Student of the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama and she received the Vibert Cambridge Award. Melissa Lynch, the Best Graduating Student of the National School of Music received the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Award. Tammy Walker who topped the ER Burrowes School of Art received the Metro Award.
Quacy Welcome received the Minister of Culture Award for being the best graduating student of the National School of Dance.
The Valedictorian spoke of the challenges she faced, being a wife and a mother and studying and how through determination she was able to see it through. She was also named Best Student in Directing, Best Student in Performance, Best Student in Production and Best Student in Research.
Other graduates receiving special awards were Quacy Welcome – Best Graduating Student, National School of Dance; Tammy Walker – Best Graduating Student, ER Burrowes School of Art; Elodie Cage-Smith – Runner up Best Graduating Student and Best Dissertation, ER Burrowes School of Art; and Sheliza Rampersaud,
Most Improved Student – ER Burrowes School of Art.
Other awardees from the drama school were: Tonaisea Robertson – Runner up Best Graduating Student; Sonia Yarde who shared the Best Student in Directing award with Hamer and Angelisa Alexander – Best Student in Playwriting.
Mellissa Lynch was the Best Graduating Student from the National School of Music.
In addition, Meghan Duke, Vivienne Daniel, Gem Madhoo-Nascimento and Doris Rogers received Lifetime Achieve-ment Awards for their contributions to Music Education, Dance, Theatre Arts and Fine Arts respectively.
