May 2012
Support Children's Day Today
Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna is encouraging all Jamaicans to participate and support the country’s first ever National Children’s Day, which will be celebrated on Friday, May 18. more >
April 2012
Creative Industries Key Contributor to Economic Growth
State Minister for Industry, Investment, and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, has underscored the value of the creative industries to national growth and development. more >
March 2012
Minister of Culture says Jamaica must Harness Technology for Development
Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, said that the globalisation of information and culture, largely driven by the information and communications technology (ICT) revolution, provides Jamaica with the opportunity to harness technology for the development of the country. more >
January 2012
Lifting Jamaica's brand quality - cultural diplomacy strategy required
In her swearing-in speech on January 6, Jamaica's Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller acknowledged, inter alia, that included in her mandate is the imperative to "protect the good name of Jamaica at home and in the international community". more >
June 2011
Whither a modern cultural policy for Jamaica?
Cultural and information policy issues in Jamaica have long needed to be straightened out. In the last 20 years, cultural policy worldwide has changed focus from the development of cultural sectors — or the arts — to emphasise the industrialisation of culture and creativity and convergence of technologies and commerce. more >
September 2010
Grange asks IDB to Support Development of Culture in Region
Jamaica's Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon Olivia Grange, has appealed to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to assist Latin America and the Caribbean to develop, promote and preserve their rich cultural heritage. more >
May 2010
Ministry to do Inventory of Jamaica's Cultural and Historical Heritage
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Olivia Grange, has said her Ministry plans to undertake an inventory to determine aspects of Jamaica's cultural and historical heritage which can be exploited to yield benefits to the country. more >
December 2009
SHUT 'EM UP! - Too much freedom in the name of creative expression
Declaring that Jamaica's music has died, producer Mikey Barnett says the Government needs to restrict freedom of expression if the society is to survive. "There is too much freedom in the name of creative expression," Barnett told a recent Gleaner Editors' Forum. more >
Jamaica and South Africa initiate cultural ties
A cultural agreement between South Africa and Jamaica was signed Monday at a press briefing in New Kingston. Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Olivia Grange, explained that the agreement is aimed at encouraging cooperation, as well as facilitating the exchange of knowledge, experience and achievements between both countries in the fields of arts and culture. more >
July 2009
$90m support for festival
Despite the harsh economic climate, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has managed to source $90 million in sponsorship this year - $35 million more than last year. more >
May 2009
Four indigenous movements awarded Musgrave Medals
The Institute of Jamaica on Thursday presented Special Musgrave Medals to four of Jamaica's indigenous movements - the Maroons, Rastafari, Kumina and Revivalist. The groups, according to the Minister of Culture Olivia Grange, "represent the richness, vibrancy and dynamism of our forebears, as they sought to maintain their African heritage while in distant, foreign lands". more >
April 2009
Creative Industries in Jamaica and their access to international markets: The challenge for cultural policy
We are challenged in the development of our Creative Industries Policy as we seek to establish the framework within which we can use our successes to expand the possibilities and ride our challenges to create a roadmap to achieve our vision. more >
February 2009
Jamaica to receive recommendations to clean up music industry
Prime Minister Bruce Golding has called for a set of recommendations on the action and the direction to be taken to clean up the music that is broadcast or projected in public spaces and through the electronic media. more >
January 2009
EPA opens European market to entertainers
Experts in Jamaica's creative and cultural industry have said that the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Cariforum countries (Caricom and the Dominican Republic) and the European Union (EU) has provided a tremendous opportunity for local professionals in the arts to penetrate the European market. more >
October 2008
Ashe to the wind - Performing arts group unable to find a home
The sustainability of performing arts company Ashe is hanging in the balance as the group has a no place to call home. more >
June 2008
Ministry to Expand Activities in Culture and Entertainment Division
The Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports (MICYS) is making plans to expand, energize and enhance activities in its culture and entertainment division, through the introduction of new and revitalized programming. more >
Highlights of action plans coming out of Jamaican Diaspora Conference
The Jamaican Diaspora Conference 2008 has resulted in a number of recommendations for the government's cultural policies. more >
March 2008
An 'Alliance' against violence
The government-funded Violence Prevention Alliance promotes cultural expression to encourage people to turn to creation rather than destruction. more >
January 2008
Jamaica/South Africa explore cultural exchange programme
An effort is being made to establish a cultural exchange programme between the governments of Jamaica and South Africa. more >
October 2007
Call for more intimate art affairs
A forum was held to facilitate dialogue between the major players in Jamaica's arts and tourism sectors. more >
August 2007
Convergence in party manifestos on cultural issues
Without knowledge of our history, we are bound to repeat the mistakes of the past. more >
September 2006
Cultural Heritage Must be Viewed as an Investment - Assamba
Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, Aloun Ndombet Assamba, has stressed the importance of viewing the Jamaican cultural heritage as an investment, which has economic benefit for the country. more >
August 2006
Cultural Heritage Must be Viewed as an Investment - Assamba
The Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, Aloun Ndombet Assamba, has stressed the importance of viewing the Jamaican cultural heritage as an investment, which has economic benefit for the country. more >
March 2006
Culture Division Lauded for Spearheading Protection of Country's Cultural Industries
Senator Donna Scott-Mottley has hailed the Culture Division of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, for leading the charge to protect the country's cultural industries. more >
Policy aims to make Jamaica a cultural superstate
The establishment of a ministry of culture is a necessary step in the process of promoting investment in sustainable cultural development and affirming the vision of Jamaica as a cultural superstate, according to the National Cultural Policy of Jamaica. more >
July 2004
Ministry promoting strategic alliance between tourism, industry & entertainment
The Jamaican Ministry of Industry and Tourism is intent on ensuring that policies and mechanisms are in place to efficiently promote the strategic alliance between tourism, industry and entertainment, to form a solid foundation for the nation's economic prosperity. more >
Afro Caribbean Millennium Centre to be officially opened Friday
The Birmingham-based Afro Caribbean Resource Centre, and New Style Radio, officially opened its new £2.5 million Millennium centre less than a week ago, but already, it is moving to start working on a major expansion programme. more >
June 2004
Musical heritage of Moore Town Maroons recognised
Jamaica has taken its place among the 28 countries to be honoured with the 'Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity' by UNESCO, for the musical heritage of the Moore Town Maroons in Portland. more >
March 2004
Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Introduces Monthly Concert Series
To promote greater appreciation of the country's culture and art forms, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, has introduced a monthly concert series, aptly called 'An Evening at Louise', in honour of cultural icon, Louise Bennett-Coverly. more >
Programme To Reconnect Young Jamaicans With Their Heritage Launched
An innovative Jamaican Birthright Internship Programme, aimed at reconnecting overseas-based young Jamaicans with their heritage, is receiving praises from Jamaicans living in Toronto. more >
August 2003
Jampro looks to Canada, UK for film industry investment
Jamaica Promotions Corporation is in discussion with Canadian and British film councils, with a view to develop co-production treaties to allow for increased investment in local film production. more >
February 2003
Jamaica: UK project and cultural policy underway
Jamaica's Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture is currently staging its 'Cultural Sunshine Boonoonoonoos Project' in London and it is also working on a national cultural policy. more >
January 2003
Jamaican conference for literacy
The Jamaica All-age Schools Project (JAASP), in association with the Moneague College, held a three-day literacy conference in Oracabessa recently. more >
November 2002
Community multimedia centre opened in Kingston
Integrating traditional and new communication and information technologies for development is the aim of a Caribbean regional project that UNESCO recently launched in Kingston, Jamaica. more >
Fostering Jamaican culture
In seeking to foster greater patriotism in school children throughout the island nation, Jamaica's Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture held celebrations in schools to mark Jamaica Day. more >
October 2002
Draft Jamaican cultural policy available online
The Jamaican Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture is currently in the process of finalising a new National Cultural Policy, a draft copy is now available online. more >
Craft industry adds value to Jamaican tourism product
Executive Director of the Jamaican Tourism Product Development Company, (TPDCo), Karl Binger, has commented that tourism in Jamaica would not 'reach its full potential, without a vibrant, flourishing craft business, enriching the product offering.' more >
September 2002
Caribbean seminar for excellence in public television
Opportunities for sharing and critiquing innovative initiatives in the film and video professions in the Caribbean will provided at the UNESCO sponsored 'Second Caribbean Screening and Seminar for excellence in public television', to be held in Kingston, Jamaica from November 2 -4, 2002. more >
Marley's 'No Woman, No Cry' Heads Jamaica Top 40
Bob Marley's 'No Woman, No Cry' was chosen Jamaica's most popular song and the reggae legend placed two others in the top 10 of a favorites' list compiled to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Caribbean nation's independence. more >
Jamaica celebrates literacy day
The Central Jamaican Reading Council has announced the establishment of a reading area in the waiting room of the Mandeville Hospital, as part of activities that marked International Literacy Day on September 8. more >
August 2002
Jamaica pays tribute to an icon of arts and culture
Jamaican Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, Senator Burchell Whiteman has recently paid tribute to the late Eric Coverley, one of Jamaica’s beloved icons of culture, for his contribution to the development of the arts. more >
Celebrating Jamaica’s anniversary of independence through literature
The Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) recently launched Jamaica's Journey of Independence (1831-1962), a book commemorating the country’s 40th anniversary of Independence. more >
July 2002
Jamaica receives a ‘lift up’ with a new community centre
A new community centre in Waterlane, constructed as part of the 'Lift Up Jamaica' program, was officially opened by Fitz Jackson, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, on July 12. more >
May 2002
Calabash Literary Festival promoted in the Big Apple
Jamaica's 2002 Calabash International Literary Festival, held 24-26 May, enjoyed a special launch in New York earlier in the month. more >
July 2008
International Crossroads in Cultural Studies Conference
Key themes for the Conference include: Globalization and the spirit; Indigenous spiritualities; The spirit of music; Cultures of reconciliation; Storytelling. more >
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