Sixteen entrepreneurs from the cultural and creative industry who submitted proposals to the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport, to develop their projects have been selected to be beneficiaries of a $20 million grant, which they will receive through the Guyana Fund for Cultural and Creative Industries Programme (GFCCI).
The recipients disclosed at the Department’s boardroom are: Mohamed Handy, Errol Chand, Melissa Roberts, Gavin Mendonza, Barrington Braithwaithe, Keith Easton, Leon Saul, Linn Ronnkvist, Leonard Colvin Marks, Ivor Marslow, Trevon Munroe, Michael Jordan, Carlene Gill-Kerr, Martin Massiah and Emman Shand-Beretto and Shonetta Jonas, who jointly submitted a proposal for their hand-made cotton product project.
Some of the projects chosen include: a Buxton and Friendship Music and Arts Culture Centre, Handi-craft Dolls and a television series titled ‘Tenement yard’ among others.
The money that will be allotted to each of the fifteen projects varies but the recipients will receive no more than $3 million. According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), “This $20 million initiative aims to not only improve the livelihoods of persons engaged in the cultural and the creative industries but to promote new cultural products and to facilitate the marketing of the local industry.”
Focus for funding was placed on productions and publications across all creative industries; marketing, distribution and branding of creative products; the development of new cultural products such as festivals; procurement of specialised equipment in support of a particular type of creative production; the creation of intellectual goods, patents and copyrights; and research and design of innovative new Guyanese products in the creative industries, such as gaming, animation, fashion and condiments/recipes using local content/contexts.
“I am definitely elated to be a recipient of this grant and more so at the government’s focus on the Creative Arts,” Carlene Gill-Kerr, one of the entrepreneurs told this newspaper.
Her project which is named, “Guyanese waves of emotion” is a compilation of poetry, dance, drama and song among other forms, which addresses social issues such as abuse (verbal, sexual and emotional), domestic violence, suicide, low self-confidence and the lack of morality and direction, in an effort to motivate the audience.
“These methods will be used in ways that will be captivating enough, to hold its audience until the message is fully received, resulting in positive changes in their lives,” Gill-Kerr explained.
She stated that through her project she hopes to sensitise young people on issues which are affecting them in society so that they will be able to cope. She also said that she hopes to create a safe environment for youths and to positively influence them, which she hopes will result in gratifying changes in society. In addition, Gill stated that the project will give upcoming artistes a chance to hone and display their talent, which she hopes will boost their self-confidence and morale.
“I believe that for too long this means of education has been overlooked by the relevant persons and hence many talented persons are forced to abandon their dream. In addition the country’s development is stagnated because pertinent information cannot reach the target audience due to lack of funding and personnel. These grants are a huge step in the right direction for positive change in our society,” Gill-Kerr added.
