Literary entries surge as NIFCA participation grows

Adult literary arts entries for NIFCA 2026 have risen by nearly 60 per cent, leading increases across several disciplines as more Barbadians enter the annual competition, the National Cultural Foundation said Tuesday.

“Bajans are writing,” said Literary Arts Officer Karra Price as adult entries rose from 195 in 2025 to 311 this year. Unpublished manuscript entries increased by 183 per cent, from six to 17, while junior entries rose by 169 per cent, from 13 to 35.

NCF officials reported growth in entries and semi-finalists at Tuesday’s launch press conference in the NCF boardroom, with increased participation in literary arts, music, dance, theatre, visual arts and culinary arts.

Price added: “These numbers point to growing participation in NIFCA, and importantly suggest that more Barbadians are taking the opportunity to share their stories, ideas, and creative expressions.”

Some of the growth might be linked to NCF programmes such as the free Writers Clinic, which provides instruction and support, she suggested.

Music reported 84 entries, with 72 progressing to the semi-finals.

“That’s a beautiful problem to have because now we have to find a way to fit them,” said Music Officer Kevin Moore.

Adult entries and school participation have increased, alongside entries from singers, instrumentalists, school pop bands and steelpan groups.

There were more first-time entrants in dance among juniors and adults, as well as more young choreographers, according to Dance Officer Alicia Payne Hurley.

Primary and secondary schools were also returning to the competition after a decline in school entries in previous years.

The theatre arts has seen a slight increase in entries, particularly in drama presentations, short plays and dramatic monologues. Theatre Officer Janelle Mitchell said: “This gives us a more diverse festival this year.”

Some 24 theatrical presentations will feature in the semi-finals across four nights, with short plays lasting up to 20 minutes.

In the visual arts, entries increased overall, with significant growth in junior fine arts and fine craft. Fine craft entries rose by almost 50 per cent.

“The standard remains very high for a non-professional competition,” Visual Arts Officer Oneka Small said.

There are more than 60 individual adult entrants and increased participation from primary and secondary schools in the culinary arts competition, according to Culinary Arts External Coordinator Dr Sonia Peter.

Film and video final entry numbers were not yet available because submissions closed on Monday night. But External Coordinator Christian-Kendahl Rock said preliminary figures showed two junior entries, compared with none last year.

Workshops and discussions ahead of 2027 would focus on increasing youth and school participation, he said.

NCF Chief Cultural Officer Andrea Wells said: “In 2026, we see increases across several disciplines, and we see a continuing trend of particularly our performing artists experimenting with mixing arts disciplines in their presentations on stage.”

NCF Chief Cultural Officer Andrea Wells. (Photo by: Lauryn Escamilla)

The mixed-discipline category now allows artists to combine any NIFCA disciplines. Three pieces reached this year’s semi-finals: dance and theatre, dance film, and dance and visual arts.

The competition remained rigorous but had development at its heart, including opportunities for participants to receive feedback from judges, Wells said.

Performing arts semi-finals will take place over the next two weekends at Combermere School Hall, with performances from Friday to Sunday at 6pm. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $5 for children aged three to 12.

Other events include the Culinary Arts exhibition from October 31; the Film and Video showcase on November 13; the Visual Arts exhibition, opening on November 14 at Queen’s Park Gallery and the Steel Shed; and the Literary Arts Gala on November 18 at the Barbados Museum.

Business Development Cultural Coordinator Andre Hoyte said NIFCA’s entrepreneurial prize would return for a third year, offering $15 000 per discipline.

“We’re really excited, particularly in our 60-and-5-year celebration [of Independence and republicanism] to have this,” he said.

Mission Barbados Director Zimronn Andrews also announced a $2 500 prize for creatives whose work demonstrates one or more of the organisation’s six missions for 2030.

Mission Barbados Director Zimronn Andrews. (Photo by: Lauryn Escamilla)

“The need for us to partner with the creative is that the work that they can do is to be able to get us to reimagine the future of Barbados,” Andrews said.

(LE)