NCF showing commitment to culture and arts

By Coretta Joe

The National Cultural Foundation continues to commit to preserving culture and arts in Barbados, having facilitated and sponsored numerous online events and initiatives that have supported Barbadian artists.

The government agency has partnered with Barbados TODAY in their new virtual party series, De MashUp, which premieres live tomorrow, May 29, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on both companies’ Facebook and YouTube channels.

Marketing Officer at the NCF, Ashley Dyall, told Barbados TODAY that the foundation sees these virtual events as providing a safe space for entertainers to do what they love.

“It allows them to earn while providing a quality show for their followers and wider audience. It helps to keep culture alive, pushes the music and allows the entertainers’ brand to remain relevant during this trying COVID-19 period,” she stated.

Currently, the NCF broadcasts a mini-concert every Friday at 8 p.m. on their social media platforms, featuring the best in the industry.

Performers included Barry Chandler, Marvay, Rosie Hunte and Shadia Marshall. On June 4, Barbadians can expect to see Darian Bailey and Jomaro Greaves showcase their talent.

Dyall noted that in commemorating heritage month in June, the Cultural Development Department at the NCF has produced two mini-series promoting their heritage games: warri and potta.

Another series in the works encourages the use of the calabash in Barbados and the wider Caribbean.

Apart from creating native content, the NCF has played an active role in maximising the viewership of practitioners’ content created through the foundation’s COVID Technical Assistance Grant.

The Marketing Officer assured Barbadians that the NCF’s mandate as the gatekeepers of culture and heritage in Barbados continues to be even more relevant now, as promoters and other festival and event producers worldwide can see the quality of work in the creative arts sector.

“What is beautiful about our virtual content is that it not only provides financial assistance to the artists but it also shares our stories and their work which can also be looked as promotion of what we have to offer for the world,” Dyall said.