Government is taking steps to stop the “window-shopping” local artists had been forced to do in order to source funding.
Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley said the Cultural Industries Development Bill would go a long way in this regard as well as to help transform the cultural industry in Barbados.
“For too long artists in Barbados have had to do some window-shopping all across Government looking for funding and assistance. I think the time has come where not only a significant amount of respect is due but that window-shopping must come to an end so this industry can emerge as an acceptable industry just like trade, tourism and all the rest and this bill is designed to make a first step in that regard,” he said.
Lashley said artists should have a systematic process to access funding and the bill would help to retool the thinking of how creative people were treated as well as permanently change Government systems in this regard. (CA)
