Pledging his government’s commitment to building a robust and internationally demanded creative sector, President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday told performers they may have an opportunity to showcase their craft in Barbados in the near future.
Ali made the announcement during a meeting with the performers who recently showcased their talent at the Independence Day National Flag Raising Ceremony in Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast.
“Over the weekend, I was in Barbados for one day and had meetings with Prime Minister Mia Mottley and I said to her that I would like us to have an artiste exchange [programme]. You give me the opportunity to put my artistes on stage at Crop Over or any national event and I would give you an opportunity to put your artistes on my stage and it was an overwhelming response from her,” Ali said.
He believes that if the performers are granted the opportunity to perform in Barbados then that increases their value and ultimately the creative value of Guyana. The President also used the opportunity to recruit the performers to further his “One Guyana” vision.
“The conversation is one which I want to recruit all of you because the One Guyana goal can be accelerated with all of you. You have the passion, emotion and expression and a stage that is essential to pushing this One Guyana [initiative],” Ali said.
The President told the attendees that his government has budgeted $100 million for the development of the sector, adding that there is now a need for performers to collectively craft a plan to work together. He said that his vision is to build a unique product that really showcases the diversity of Guyana through its creative sector.
Ali also told the performers that he recently spoke to Trinidadian soca star Machel Montano and they exchanged ideas on the development of the creative sector.
“I know you guys have the talent but you need that push, that extra step that can really move us to the international stage,” Ali said.
He said that the Ministry of Tourism is already working with partners to explore entertainment tourism avenues.
Ali challenged the entertainers to create a spectacular show for the upcoming Guyana night at the cricket carnival in September.
“For this cricket carnival I want a night to be dedicated to Guyana … and that night belongs to you. I want you guys to sit down and come up with a world-class programme. You will come up with the budget, the best songs, the best beat, the best anybody will see in entertainment but what I want is a stage that sells Guyana, promotes Guyana, promotes you and advances your careers.
“Once you do this right and build a Guyana night that is spectacular we are going to send this across every single network across the Caribbean and then we are going to build this unique One Guyana platform and we will be taking it to the diaspora…it must be so powerful that people must want it there [and] this is in your hands,” he said.
Ali told the performers that the government will make all of the investment and secure sponsorship for the Guyana night and the revenue earned will go to the creative sector. He also committed his government’s support for the development of the arts noting that they would be bringing in consultants and international artists to help the locals.
The meeting served as a way for the artistes to proffer ideas for the advancement of the sector. They called on the government to invest in the acquisition of state-of-the-art sound, video and lighting equipment to enhance the production quality while also highlighting the dire need for a comprehensive creative arts training institute.
The lack of resources in the creative sphere dominated the discussion between the President and performers.
The National Dance Company called for more to be done in the costume department lamenting that their costumes are decades old. Additionally, they called for more dance training so that they can improve their craft. The National Dance Company has been accused of performing the same set at all the national events for a number of years now.
The need for school choirs was also identified. The idea of a national choir was also floated for national events.
President Ali said that the government will be launching a National School Choir Championship in August which will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
Ali’s commitment to the creative sector comes against the backdrop of criticism of Minister of Culture Charles Ramson after reports of a more than 600% hike in some rental fees for the National Cultural Centre – Guyana’s premier theatre location.
Based on the recommended rates, rental of the entire theatre would be pegged at $500,000 per event (an increase from $80,000), the lower auditorium is now $250,000 (it was approximately $50,000), and the 500 seats recital hall $175,000. Additionally, persons would have to pay $50,000 per day for rehearsals along with a 20% service charge on all ticket sales plus 14% VAT.
Ramson has also been criticised by members of the arts community over denial of access to the National Cultural Centre for the hosting of shows.
