The Minister with Responsibility for Culture and Creative Industries, Sen. Hon. Fortuna Belrose, during the budget debate, spoke of proposed plans for the creative industries for the period 2019/2020.

A total of EC$500,000 will be allocated to training, building capacity and development programs by the Cultural Development Foundation. The minister informed that data collected via a CDF mapping exercise indicated that there are 40 persons who have been registered, and are directly employed in the arts.

“Of the 400 that are registered creative workers, 67 percent of them are male and 33 percent are female; and this indeed instructive because more males appear to be pursuing areas of creativity as a profession.”

The minister stated that a total of 226 persons were trained this year in the area of performing arts.

“We therefore remain committed to strengthening the curriculum for schools, with a curriculum that is enriched to cater for the arts and provide a clear pathway for all those who wish to pursue the arts as a career.”

Senator Belrose explained that the Government of Saint Lucia is collaborating with the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Global Environmental Fund (GEF), to produce opportunities for persons interested in the creative arts across the tourism sector.