Creative Community Receives Grants
Bermuda’s creators – the artists, writers, historians, musicians, actors, tradition bearers and folklorists — must be encouraged to continue their work and must also be acknowledged for the very significant role that they play in the community, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Patrice Minors said as she announced the recipients of this year’s Cultural Legacy Fund grants.
Seventeen groups received endowments as part of Government’s Cultural Legacy Fund programme, which is designed to sustain cultural, heritage, artistic and research projects that promote our cultural heritage,
The recipients were: Bermuda African Dance Company (Dawn and Ivan Broadbelt), Cha’Von K. Clarke (CKC Corporation), Dwayne Joell (AKA – Gombey Warriors), Ami Zanders, Bermuda National Gallery (Lisa Howie), Bermuda School of Music, Bda Shakespeare Schools Festival (Conchita Ming), TROIKA, Chewstick Foundation, Bermuda DOCs (Duncan Hall), Bermuda International Film Festival, Mr. Andrew Stoneham, Look Bermuda (Jean-Pierre Rouja), Mr. Cleveland M. Simmons, Rosheena Beek and Educational & Inspirational Publishers (Dr. R. Tankard)
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Patrice Minors said, “I am extremely pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s Cultural Legacy Fund which demonstrates yet again Government’s commitment to the development, promotion and support of culture and the arts in Bermuda.”
“The original and continuing intent of this initiative is for Government to show, through tangible means, the support necessary to sustain cultural, heritage, artistic and research projects that promote, sustain and celebrate our cultural heritage, the arts and education of the same.”
Minister Minors is pictured with the recipients:
“The intent is to support projects and events that are of national significance; thereby demonstrating Government’s commitment to the preservation, promotion and celebration of Bermuda’s culture, folklife and heritage,” Minister Minors said.
“This Government, in the Throne Speech of 2011, articulated the importance of strengthening our community by “building one another, together…”
“The Cultural Legacy Fund is but one vehicle through which my Ministry gives credence to the sentiments expressed in the 2011 Throne Speech.
“The Cultural Legacy Fund (CLF) was established in 2009 during Bermuda’s celebration of its 400th anniversary of continuous habitation. The CLF was therefore established to be a legacy coming out of that significant historic milestone that would continue.
“Government’s support of culture, the arts, folklife and research is critical. Our culture, folklife, traditions and our heritage define us as a people; yet the message must reach all of our people in many varied ways in order that a sense of identity, pride and love for who we are is entrenched in our people’s spirits.
“We must also protect and preserve our culture and heritage and ensure that it does not become subsumed because as a small island community we are inundated by that which is promoted via technology and other social media.
“Quite simply, who we are must be grounded in our traditions, beliefs and other aspects of tangible cultural heritage. As such, these must be supported, nurtured and protected.
“Thus the Cultural Legacy Fund provides a significant financial boost to the development of a vibrant and diverse arts based community and this is truly reflected in the selection of those who been identified to receive these awards.”
