71 students graduated from the Schools of Music, Dance, Fine Arts (ERBSA) and Theatre Arts and Drama at the third Convocation of the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA), which was held at the National Cultural Centre on September 27.
According to a press release from the Department of Culture, Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry in her feature address, disclosed that a loan valuing US$2M has been approved for the construction of a facility to house the ICA. This is via a partnership between the governments of Guyana and Mexico.
This creative arts centre will facilitate the preservation of traditional cultural practices. All the creative programmes will be housed in a central building,” the release quoted the Minister as explaining.
“We live to create, we are the stewards of the arts.” That phrase was articulated by two of the valedictorians – Jerusha Dos Santos and Mariella Bennett, from the National School of Dance, who graduated from the Institute, the release said.
According to the release, Dos Santos and Bennet noted that the ICA provided a fulfilling experience and that it is therefore important for the graduating class to share their skills and knowledge with others.
Aside from the National School of Dance, valedictorians from the other schools were presented with trophies. These included Odessa Carmichael from the E.R. Burrowes School of Art; Andrew Tyndall from the National School of Music; and Quincy Richards from the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama, the release stated.
According to the release, in the ICA’s Principal’s report, Tomeka Boatswain, Director of Culture (ag) recognised the challenges faced by the ICA; those being the attrition rate and students’ commitment to the respective programmes.
