Cultural Industries Crucial To Barbados’ Economic Development, Says Cultural Director

Photo above: Andrea King, Director of the Cultural Industries Development Authority (CIDA). Photo credit: Shutter Stock.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Apr. 7, (CMC) –Director of the Cultural Industries Development Authority (CIDA), Andrea King, said the development of cultural industries are the next frontier for Barbados’s economic development.

King, who delivered an address at the media launch for the upcoming Cultural Industries Development Symposium, today, said Barbados is “seizing the moment” in the area of culture.

“This is the moment when most major sectors are underwhelming in their performance. This is the moment when our country has to look to its last natural resource for economic sustenance and sustainability. That last natural resource is the creativity of Barbadians,” she stated.

In acknowledging the importance of the cultural industries, CIDA has crafted a symposium to focus on the key areas needed to monetize and improve the economic viability of the cultural and creative industries.

The symposium, which will run from Thursday, May 5 to Sunday, May 8, will deal with a range of topics aimed at further developing the business savvy of persons in the cultural industries.

Among the subjects to be explored are: using the value of intellectual property as financial collateral; taking your fashion and apparel to market; taking your festivals and music to market; and film distribution.

Presenters include: Founder of the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival, Frances-Ann Solomon; four-time Emmy Award winning Director and Record Producer, Nick Nanton; and writer and Producer of Music, Peter Coppin.