“Mek It Make Sense” - CARIFESTA XV Panel Calls for Creative Ownership, Not Just Grants

How can Caribbean creatives thrive beyond just surviving? That was the central question at CARIFESTA XV’s “Big Conversation” titled Mek it Make Sense/Cents – Beyond the Grant, held on August 28 at the Hilton Hotel in Barbados. Moderated by Patrice Beersingh, the panel tackled how the creative economy can better support artists—not just with handouts, but with real systems that drive long-term growth and ownership.

Dr. Marielle Barrow-Maigan, coordinator for symposia and big conversations at CARIFESTA XV Barbados set the tone of the panel. As she addressed the themes which were aimed at designing systems that will help creatives to build sustainable businesses, being able to compete in the global race and using their unique culture as a strength in the creative economy.

3-time NIFCA gold medalist poet Akeem Chandler-Prescod was invited on stage to relay a

powerful message by wordplay on the prose ‘mek it make sense.’

The opening speaker Eliana Prada who is a representative of Inter-American Bank

(IDB), introduced the importance of the orange economy and its great impact on global

and regional countries’ GDP, work sector and revenue calling it the “power source for

employment generation, social inclusion and economic impact”. The staggering data

that was shared by her showed that it created 50 million jobs worldwide and generated

2.25 trillion dollars, which is 3% of the global GDP. Whilst it employed 1.9 million people

and added 2% to the GDP and contributed 124 billion dollars in revenues to the

Caribbean. Providing great opportunities to women and those under 30.

Eliana outlined the challenges that are often faced when trying to expand this sector:

financing, lack of data and evidence, High informality in the sector and the skills gap for

creative professionals. She emphasizes we shouldn’t see this economy as an expense

but a “strategic long-term investment that generates employment, social inclusion and

economic development.”

Daniel Best the president of the Caribbean Development Bank discussed the banks

initiatives to properly finance and support creatives by investing for sustainability instead

of grant dependency. He mentioned the Creative Industries Initiatives Fund (CIIF) which

has generated $2.6 million and has supported over 1000 beneficiaries across 17

countries, producing 144 jobs and 30 projects. Daniel proceeded to outline the

Importance of financial literacy and the initiatives that the bank has taken to educate

creators.

Jawara Alleyne is an Artist, Designer, and Creative Director from the Grand Cayman

shared an empowering perspective as a creative whilst navigating his way through the

creative sector. Even sharing challenges that were faced such as limited resources

diversity, equity, and ownership. He stressed that the future of global culture depends on

building systems that allow creators to own and benefit from their creativity rather than

being exploited. Moreover, creatives should strive to shape and reinvent policies and

systems which allow them to keep their independence whilst sustaining creative

freedom without limitations from grants. Reminding them to empower their communities

by building community wealth.

A unique perspective was added to the conversation by Andre Le Roux who is the

managing director of IKS cultural consulting. Andre suggested redirecting their focus

onto projects instead of only relying on policies as he believes that “you change lives

through good projects and sustainable programs that are consistent and continuous”.

He referenced the South X project, the Festival Enterprise Catalyst, and the Concerts SA

Project, which shows that consistency and regular consumption of culture can benefit

and empower artists. These programs aided thousands of artists over a span of 10

years allowing them to network and create strong partnerships helping both the artist

and the community to succeed.

Written by:

Sarah Arielle Gooding-Edghill

Youth Correspondent - CARIFESTA XV