NCF on a mission to deliver an improved festival

by Shamar Blunt

The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) is in early discussions to facilitate the re-imagining of future instalments of the
Crop Over Festival.

This promise came from the NCF’s Chief Executive Officer Carol Roberts-Reifer, as she spoke during a presentation of several art pieces by local artist Sheena Rose, to be added to the Foundation’s rich local inventory.

The CEO noted that with COVID-19 creating a “new normal” around the world, steps must be taken to provide better avenues for artists to showcase their talents.

“We are in the process of re-imagining Crop Over. We have reached a point where we almost don’t talk about COVID-19 anymore, because this is the new normal.

“Yes, we observe the health protocols and all the rest, but this is our reality, this is who we are. So what do you make of it, what you do with it? That is what we are constantly challenging ourselves to do; answer that question and provide spaces, financial and support otherwise for creatives to do what they do best – create,” she said.

The NCF chief also said that the current pandemic had revealed how delicate, but important, the arts and culture sector is to the overall economy of the island.

With the cancellation of several music and cultural events this year, Roberts-Reifer lauded the local artistic community for their initiative and drive during the months of economic inactivity earlier in the year.

“What was really heartening was that almost immediately after news of the lockdown, local artists and artists all over the world said, as artists always do, ‘let’s look for an outlet for our creative voice and creative expression’. So . . . when we saw this overwhelming amount of digital content being produced, very creatively, very innovatively, in a very short space of time, we obviously had to step in and ride on that momentum by offering incentives, initiatives and a space for artists to then create. That has just been continuing and evolving over time,” she said.

During the presentation of three art pieces to the NCF, Rose, a contemporary artist and a Fulbright Scholar, said that though her work has been receiving international acclaim for some time now, her works being part of a government collection of artistic pieces has special meaning.

“I feel so honoured. . .  I have goose bumps right now because I am in collections with Picasso, Kehinde Wiley, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dalí, major collections, but my heart is racing. I feel so warm right now because I am in a Barbadian government collection and I feel as though when I pass, my spirit will be around. So, I really appreciate this so much,” she said.

Her works, entitled Crop Over, Nelson and Sweet Gossip, will join other distinguished pieces in the local collection curated by the NCF, and will be displayed at the Foundation’s headquarters and future local exhibits.

(SB)