Preamble

Individual human development is fundamental to the process of cultural and ultimately national development. The nation's cultural policy must therefore have a clear definition of the role and importance of culture in the development process, must establish the strategies and mechanisms for effective and lasting impact and must ensure the ongoing strengthening and enrichment of the process. In the process of establishing its post-colonial cultural integrity, Jamaica has been confronted with major challenges. The main challenge is to overcome tendencies to disjunctive cultural responses and the resultant impact on the society, arise from the constant bombardment of extraneous influences through advanced technological transmission. Jamaica must face the fact that it will always have to contend with these extraneous influences and that the cultural development process is dynamic and will always be undergoing change. Jamaica must, however, urgently reinforce the texture of its own cultural fabric if it is to provide the basis for the development of those value systems which themselves shape and define the society and which inform and determine the fundamental rights and responsibilities of its people.

Definition of Culture
ulture defined as ethos !attitudes " values " methods " traditions and belief systems# is an intrinsic factor which affects all aspects of human life. Its is the catalyst which determines attitudes to wor$, production, etc. %lthough it is not &uantifiable or tangible, it is central to the definition of the basic unit of economic development - the individual and the human spirit - and the eventual unleashing of creative energies. Cultural Policy directives must facilitate:

the nurturing of individual creativity. access to and participation in cultural expression as a fundamental right of the individuals !%rticle '( of the )niversal *eclaration of +uman ,ights#. the use of culture as an agent of social transformation. the creation of plurality of expression and tolerance of diversity. a recognition of the uni&ueness of Jamaican culture and the immense influence of Jamaican cultural expression internationally

Cultural Policy in Jamaica

The Jamaica ultural -olicy aims to establish an understanding of the organic relationship between culture and development. The -olicy see$s.

to establish relevant and realistic objectives. to create, or renew structures for the delivery of cultural services. to provide ade&uate resources to help to create a people centered approach to cultural development.

Aims of a Cultural Policy

The cultural policy aims to.

articulate a clear vision of the place of culture in national life and the overall objective which the proposed cultural actions are intended to achieve/ give an indication of the plans, programmes and strategies that will be implemented to achieve the set goals/ ma$e provision for full participation of communities in cultural development/ set out the ways in which cultural institutions and structures will be enabled to manage cultural institutions and structures will be enabled to manage cultural development/ identify the sources of funding for cultural development/ indicate plans for the development of arts and letters, the preservation of cultural heritage, the stimulation of the preservation of cultural heritage, the stimulation of artistic and intellectual creativity and the promotion of arts education and museums development/ establish lin$s between cultural policies and policies relating to education, science and technology, industrial development and environmental protection/ indicate 0overnment's intentions regarding the documentation of main cultural trends, the collection of oral traditions, the development of museums, and art centres, and the promotion of a motion picture industry/ declare 0overnment's commitment to providing facilities for on-going cultural research and the training of cultural practitioners.

Objectives

The accessibility of cultural expression to all people. The preservation and nurture of the integrity of the Jamaican culture so as to counteract the growing feeling of alienation and disempowerment due mainly to the impact of globali1ation and foreign cultures. The fostering of an environment which will encourage creativity and secure a place for artists and other creators in the society. The recognition of the authenticity of the Jamaican reality, cultural context and cognitive experience in the early stimulation of intellectual activity and the formation of character, attitudes and values. %s part of this recognition, the teaching of 2est Indian and %frican history should be mandatory. The engendering of an aesthetic of the built environment, of public and commonly held spaces through the documentation of codes for the establishment"erection of public gardens and national monuments .

The recognition of the seminal importance of the natural environment and its preservation as a part of the national cultural patrimony.

Cultural Policy: Planning And Implementation

Structures and Mec anisms
The 0overnment of Jamaica, through its 3inistry of ulture will be the main facilitator for ultural *evelopment. In order to guide policy in a positive way, the areas with line responsibility for culture within the 3inistry must be considerably strengthened and sustained if ulture is to receive the respect and support which it deserves as a critical component of development. %n Inter-3inisterial ommittee will become a permanent mechanism for ensuring an integrated approach to cultural development. 3inistries are to include - 4ducation, Tourism, Information, 5inance, 6ocal 0overnment and Industry and Technology. The integration of ulture and 4ducation must be ongoing even if they are in separate 3inistries. These two support the home and family in shaping the 7ociety's values and attitudes.

Cultural Agencies
The 3inistry and agencies within and without this 3inistry responsible for the process of cultural development

the Institute of Jamaica !I8J#, the Jamaica 9ational +eritage Trust !J9+T#, the Jamaican ultural *evelopment ommission !J * #, Things Jamaican 6imited and their affiliates

%ll must collaborate within a coherent framewor$ for planning and implementation. This will involve

ongoing dialogue with the community and general public to ensure a process of ongoing cross-fertili1ation of ideas and impulses. ongoing research and the use of the research findings to inform and educate thereby enriching the $nowledge and appreciation of the Jamaican culture, and fostering a greater sense of pride and patriotism/ continuing facilitation of the process of preserving and encouraging the endemic cultural traditions and facilitating their interpretation and reception through the media of artistic production and discrete study/

the sensiti1ation and training of increased numbers of persons as cultural agents who will wor$ through the formal and non-formal educational system as teachers, facilitators, animateurs/ giving greater focus to some of the non-formal educational institutions such as 3useums and 6ibraries as well as community programmes so as to empower individuals and communities and stimulate greater citi1en participation. supporting and promoting the natural and cultural heritage as an aspect of domestic and foreign tourism/ encouraging, and where possible, facilitating, the growth of cultural industries e.g. music, videos, art and craft and within this context to nurture the new and traditional crafts and s$ills in achieving levels of excellence/ encouraging a continuing dialogue between formal educational structure and the community of the arts with the coordinated programme for the curriculum in school, college and universities/ functioning as resource and information centres for the community of artists and cultural agents/ fostering ongoing collaboration and dialogue with other 3inistries and %gencies locally, and with regional and international bodies involved in similar and related endeavours. reviewing and where necessary, revising laws and regulations regarding the development of ultural -roperty with the view to protecting the country's cultural heritage.

It is envisaged that the cultural agencies will be made into executive agencies, with the organisational structure, resources and authority to creatively and efficiently implement the cultural policy. ultural %gencies must be made accountable and subject to regular reviews so as to reflect inevitable changes. The wor$ of all the ultural %gencies are to be rationali1ed with closer collaboration and partnerships established between them.

! e Creative and Performing Arts

The -erforming, :isual and 6iterary %rts are traditionally the wellspring of creative expression. They are at the nexus of self-actuali1ation and communal communication. Through them the process of reflection, reali1ation and critical analysis of the self and the other ta$e place. They allow for the tangible and visible representation of culture as ethos. Through the traditional areas of the applied arts - through architecture, craft and in new areas. art therapy, computer graphics and animation, the creative arts are woven into the fabric of the society. The 0overnment of Jamaica is committed to providing a context for the free practice of the arts, for the nurturing and fostering of individual talent, for the plurality of artistic expression and for the experimental exploration of new ways of cultural expression.

It is the conviction of the 0overnment that %rtistic 4xpression should not be exclusive, restrictive or elitist - either in its production or its reception. The 0overnment is committed to ma$ing the process and the results of artistic expression accessible to the whole community. Institutional facilities for training in the creative and performing arts already exists through the following institutions. ! e "niversity of t e #est Indies: The )2I was established in ;<=>, as a college of The )niversity of 6ondon, at 3ona, by ?? medical students from across the region. In %pril ;<@', the ollege was renamed the )niversity of the 2est Indies with degree granting status. The )2I expanded from its 3ona campus, to 7t. %ugustine in Trinidad and the ave hill campus in Aarbados. Today, approximately 'B,BBB students attend the campuses, with the majority !;B,BBB# being at 3ona. The )2I is divided into the faculties of %rts and 4ducation, 7ocial 7ciences, 3edical 7ciences, -ure and %pplied science, with the faculties of 6aw and 4ngineering located in Aarbados and Trinidad, respectively. ! e "niversity of !ec nology: The )niversity was established in ;<C> under the name The Jamaica Institute of Technology. In ;<C<, the name was changed to the ollege of %rts, 7cience and Technology ! %7T# and the institution was formally accorded )niversity status in ;<<C under the name the )niversity of Technology !)T4 +#. The )T4 + has grown from CB students and = programmes in ;<C> to a student population of @,BBB and offers over ;BB different programmes at certificate, diploma and degree levels. ! e $dna Manley College of t e %isual & Performing Arts: The 4dna 3anley ollege of the :isual and -erforming %rts was originally founded as the ultural Training entre ! T # in ;<(@. The T brought together the four 7chools of %rt, *ance, *rama and 3usic to facilitate tertiary level training in the visual and performing arts. In ;<<C, the centre was renamed The 4dna 3anley ollege of the :isual and -erforming %rts !43 :-%# and offers courses leading to 7pecialist diplomas and certificates in art, dance, drama and music. %dvanced study in these areas lead to academic degrees in association with the )niversity of the 2est Indies. ! e !eac er !raining Colleges 3ore use must be made of the performing arts as a teaching tool to facilitate the development of discipline, self-expression and self-esteem. )nfortunately many of the graduates in these areas of creativity are forced to see$ employment outside of their fields and opportunities should be created to absorb more of the cultural wor$ers and professionals.

Support for t e Arts

5ine %rts, 3usic, *ance, Theatre, 5ilm, are to be encouraged and supported. %part from assisting artists with training programmes, appropriate legislation will be enacted to protect their rights and to enable them through tax relief on professional material and e&uipment. %rtists must be informed on the terms of the opyright %ct and a specific %gency designated to liaise with them.

Culture and !ec nology

ultural agencies must be provided with the necessary material resources to ensure efficiency. The use of advanced technology for research, and other activities, particularly information collection, is essential. It is important that there be access to internet information so as to accommodate interchange between cultural agencies and also to provide general information on arts and culture to the widest possible audience. The 0overnment recogni1es the influence of technology not only as a tool for development, but of its increasing role as a cultural determinant in its own right. The 0overnment is committed to encouraging a popular facility in the usage of technology and the widespread familiarity with those aspects of technology which will enhance creative expression and the human spirit. %ccess to the information age must become an accepted norm and a cultural imperative.

Culture and Media'Culture in Media

The 0overnment recogni1es the central role of the mass media in communication and dissemination of information and in the shaping of ideas, values and attitudes. ,adio, Television, print media and the Internet are essential tools in the process of stimulation of debate, allowing for self-expression, communal interaction. The media can play an active role in the strengthening of a proactive civil society and maintaining the ideals of a participatory democracy, the framewor$ for certain expression. The 0overnment is committed to the maintenance of a vibrant mass media, in its own right as an expression of cultural values and as an instrument of information dissemination and education.

Culture and Industry

6i$e media, industrial technology has become an increasingly integral part of the Jamaican reality. The challenge of a cultural policy is to facilitate a further inclusiveness into the community ethos. In particular the lin$s between economic activity and cultural expression, must be established. the importance of the symbiotic relationship between economic prosperity and well being of the human spirit must be inculcated into the common consciousness.

The 0overnment is committed to the establishment of industries directly related to the products of cultural expression and cultural heritage. Through the 7chool of the :isual %rts and the )niversity of Technology an ethos of industrial artistic design are to be encouraged, constantly reflecting the country's aesthetic values. The cultural heritage agencies will facilitate appropriate product development processes, and foster the manufacture of licensed reproductions of the 9ational ollections. It is envisaged that the Institute of Jamaica will establish a 0ift 7hop franchising service. ottage raft Industries are regarding as an excellent means of fostering traditional and new means of creative expression, at the same time increasing within communities increased economic activity. The 0overnment is committed through collaborative effort of the relevant cultural agencies, training instances, the 7cientific ,esearch ouncil and J%3-,8, to stimulate research in traditional materials and methods and to foster innovation in creativity, design and mar$eting.

Cultural (eritage
The 0overnment is committed to the protection of the 9ational +eritage. respect for and sensitivity to the importance of the past without stifling on-going creativity and change. The regulations and mechanisms for safeguarding the heritage must cover material culture of present and past era the natural and built heritage, as well as the rituals and traditions. oral and written. Aut they must also protect the popular cultures and the rights of artists, and other creators, particularly against commercial abuses. The main cultural agencies involved in the protection of the heritage are. ! e Jamaica )ational (eritage !rust: The Jamaica 9ational +eritage Trust was founded in ;<C> as the Jamaica 9ational +eritage ommission which was later changed to the Jamaica 9ational +eritage Trust !J9+T# in ;<>C. The J9+T is responsible for all prehistoric and historic sites, monuments and features in Jamaica. Their archaeology division is responsible for mapping, excavating and monitoring sites such as -ort ,oyal, 7panish Town and 3aima7eville +eritage -ar$. The J9+T also conducts research and public education programmes. ! e Institute of Jamaica: The Institute of Jamaica !I8J# was established in ;>(< and is responsible for the following organi1ations. The 3useums *ivision, The 9ational 6ibrary of Jamaica, the 9atural +istory *ivision, the Junior entre, The Institute of Jamaica -ublications 6td., The %frican aribbean Institute of Jamaica"Jamaica 3emory Aan$ and The 9ational 0allery of Jamaica. The main functions of the I8J are. establishing and maintaining

museums and galleries for the collection, preservation and presentation of artifacts, maintaining the 9ational 6ibrary, maintaining and displaying Jamaica's flora and fauna collections, developing the craft and artistic potential in children and compiling and publishing information of literary, scientific and historic interest. ! e Jamaica Cultural Development Commission: The Jamaica ultural *evelopment ommission !J * # began in ;<@? as the Jamaica 5estival ompetition, with its mandate to develop and promote the creative talents and cultural expressions of the Jamaican people. It function is also to ensure that the nation's cultural heritage is preserved and sustained for future benefit. The ommission fulfills it mandate primarily through its annual 5estival of the %rts. The 5estival of the %rts include. the performing arts, the culinary arts, fine arts, photography, 3iss 5estival Dueen, and 9ational 7ong and 0ospel song contest.

The mandates for these agencies must be clear so as to enable them to formulate and implement pertinent policies for the protection of the nation's heritage. 9ew technologies must be employed for the recording and information aspects of the heritage. 3ore museums must be created to reach a much wider cross-section of the 7ociety and the island's libraries and archives upgraded with the necessary technological capabilities.

Community and Culture

-rivate citi1ens and their collective efforts weave the basic fabric of a community and civil society as a whole. 7ince the nation is the sum of the composite number of its communities, community development is critical to national development. ulture and cultural expression is at the root of community life - its beliefs, traditions and customs, its spiritual and moral values, its behaviour patterns and social relationships, its creativity, its history and heritage. all of this and more. ulture must therefore be used positively to motivate community action and to enliven and enrich the lives of citi1ens who will ta$e pride in nation building. This means that all community agencies, including the -arish ouncils, 7ocial *evelopment ommission, the Jamaica ultural *evelopment ommission, %gricultural bodies, 7chools, hurches, Aoys 7couts, 0irl 0uides, 9ational Eouth 7ervice, the -rivate 7ector and others must wor$ towards strengthening the values of the community and encouraging creativity, and an appreciation of their indigenous cultures, the history and heritage. ommunities must be specifically aware of the importance of the natural environment as a cultural resource, and must promote, where possible 4co-tourism based on the concept of preservation and sustainability. ommunities must be aware of the national symbols and encourage respect and observance and wor$ towards human security and peace.

Culture and !ourism

Tourism is important to Jamaica's economy. Therefore, it is important that communities understand its relevance to the country and their own role in tourism. iti1ens must be educated to the fact that foreign tourists are generally just as interested in the history, culture and creativity of the Jamaican people as they are in the Island's physical beauty. The 3inistry of Tourism must, therefore, have a close and integrated policy relationship with the ministries of 4ducation and ulture and its agencies. The 3inistry of Tourism must also ensure that there are on-going training programmes for wor$ers in the tourism sector and that these wor$ers include cultural agents who will help to ensure authenticity of our product and information. The benefits of tourism must be demonstrated at the community level through infrastructure development and cultural centres. ommunities must be encouraged to safeguard their heritage sites and monuments and to preserve the environment.

*esources
If the importance of ulture to national life is to be reali1ed, then ade&uate resources are most critical. The 0overnment is committed to providing resources for sustained and sustainable development in ulture. %t the same time the 0overnment recogni1es the importance of private initiative and is committed to the fostering of joint venture programmes, and facilitating special projects for which the private sector is the main engine. (uman *esource This is the most critical factor in the development of culture and cultural expressions. Therefore, training must be made available at varying levels and on an on-going basis for persons in all areas of creative pursuit. This includes writers, artists, crafts people, designers, cultural agents, teachers, professionals in film, theatre, museums, libraries etc. These are the people who as catalyst will in turn motivate others and stimulate creativity especially in young people. They are the driving force in the process of development. 8pportunities should be provided , through ade&uate remuneration as well as possibilities for professional development, to encourage trained personnel to remain in their field. +inance %n appropriate percentage of the 0overnment's budget through the consolidated fund as well as, from time to time, specially dedicated funds must be earmar$ed annually for the wor$ of the agencies and institutions !including schools# which wor$ in the field of cultural development. In addition, the agencies themselves must devise plans and programmes which will generate budgetary subsidies. -rivate sector funding should also be encouraged especially on a community basis where assistance is visible and more

meaningful. 2here necessary, international funding should be sought through the appropriate channels. 3inistry of 4ducation F ulture ' 9ational +eroes ircle Gingston, Jamaica 3arch,;<<<

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