Policy for creative industries being developed for Jamaica – Grange

Kingston, May 17 — Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange has announced a series of activities from May 16 to 20, that will be held to develop a comprehensive policy and legal framework for the Entertainment, Cultural and Creative Industries (ECCI) in Jamaica.

Stating that "Jamaica is at an advanced state of the formulation and consultative phases," Minister Grange revealed that international experts, Ojoma Ochai and Ashley Cork, are facilitating a series of workshops and consultations with stakeholders who work within the Entertainment Cultural and Creative Industries (ECCIs).

“Ms Ochai of Nigeria and Ms Cork from Jamaica were selected by the European Union/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s project to strengthen creative industries policy and practice through advocacy, research and skills development. They are experienced in developing policy and legislative frameworks,” Grange said.

Jamaica was one of 12 countries selected for technical support under the EU/UNESCO Expert Facility, which acts as an international pool of recognised experts – independent consultants, academics and researchers, governmental officials and civil servants, cultural operators, managers of cultural institutions or associations – who have relevant experience in designing or implementing policies to support cultural and creative sectors, including publishing, visual arts, film, music, and the performing arts. Legislation to govern the ECCI will serve to create an enabling framework within which Jamaica’s creative sectors will flourish and increase their contribution to the nation's gross domestic product (GDP).

“I invite creative practitioners to event managers to technocrats, indeed all who work within agencies which engage the sector, to come out and be involved in the process. In 2018, I had strategically located the National Cultural and Creative Industries Council within my ministry, so as to streamline the Entertainment and Creative sectors. The NCCIC, now branded as Jamaica Creative, has the overall responsibility of implementing the project,” Grange said.

The project is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.

Creatives and members of the public are invited to attend the launch of the UNESCO publication, Reshaping Policies for Creativity Global Report and Jamaica’s Quadrennial Periodic Report Agenda, at the AC Hotel (Innovation Room) on Thursday, May 19, at 11 a.m.

A workshop on the topic Towards Creating Legislation for the Entertainment Culture and Creative Industries and Economy is being held at the Jamaica Pegasus, Port Antonio Room), from 9 a.m.