Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, is encouraging young and aspiring creatives to prioritise the business aspect of the industry and not neglect it.
She made the appeal while speaking to hundreds of high-school and tertiary students during the fourth Jamaica Creative Career Expo at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Tuesday (February 25).
Ms. Grange noted that in previous years, Jamaica’s cultural practitioners, including noted pioneering artistes, nurtured their craft while paying scant regard to the important business element.
She explained that in some instances, these individuals have found themselves penniless without the necessary funds to cover their medical and other needs.
Ms. Grange said it is for this reason that the Government launched the Jamaica Entertainers and Creatives Insurance Plan in November 2024.
In the same vein, the Minister emphasised that creative practitioners must learn the business of the industry and ensure they protect their earnings.
“It is not only about writing lyrics, singing, dancing, painting, and doing all the great things you want to do. Always remember, the business of the creative sector is important.
“So, you must understand the business, learn the business, and make sure that from your creativity, you are securing your future. [This] by ensuring that you register your songs that you write, and that in all the other things you do, you are earning and you are saving from your earnings to secure your future,” Ms Grange stated.
The Minister pointed out that the creative industry has the potential to grow Jamaica’s economy and generate jobs.
Consequently, Ms. Grange said the aim of the Expo was to encourage students to become a part of the creative economy by making them more knowledgeable about the various creative career possibilities.
“We hope that this inspires emerging creatives, like you [students], to become the next best exponent of your craft,” she told the participants.
The Expo was held under the theme ‘Exploring the Digital Space’ and focused on creative enterprises and opportunities in the digital environment.
Areas covered included Animation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Content Creation, Gaming, Robotics and Animatronics.
Creatives from Jamaica and the diaspora who have excelled in the digital space imparted knowledge to the young participants through panel discussions that offered them the opportunity to ask pertinent questions.
Students also had access to booth displays highlighting various careers in the digital space.
Among the interactive displays was one by the HEART/NSTA Trust that highlighted careers in Web Development and Mobile Application Creation.
The event was conceptualized and executed by the Ministry’s Jamaica Entertainment, Culture and Creative Industries Council (JECCIC), popularly known as Jamaica Creative.
