The Kingston Culture Forum hosted speakers and six panel discussions that engaged government leaders and policymakers, academia, artists and creative practitioners, nongovernmental organisations, private sector companies and community representatives. The participation of diverse communities ensured that there was representation of different ecosystem members and segments of the cultural and creative industries in Jamaica. The motto “collaboration over competition” was demonstrated as speakers representing different entities worked together to share solutions and build partnerships that serve the growth and development of the Creative industries.

Enjoy watching the highlights from these talks and discussions!

Museums, Heritage Institutions and Cultural Memory in the Digital Age
Curated by Sonjah Stanley Niaah, University of the West Indies, Institute of Cultural Studies

Panelists: Dr. Sonjah Stanley Niaah, Head of the Institute of Cultural Studies , University of the West Indies, Dr. Zachary Beier, Lecturer in the Department of History and Archaeology, University of the West Indies; Dr. Shani Roper, Curator, University of the West Indies Museum; Mr. O’Neil Lawrence, Chief Curator, National Gallery of Jamaica; Ms. Georgia Rookwood, Senior Research Office, Jamaica National Heritage Trust; Ms. Nicole Patrick Shaw, Deputy Executive Director, Institute of Jamaica; Ms. Sara Shabaka, Art District Lead, Kingston Creative

Creative Placemaking and Urban Regeneration in Cultural and Creative Cities
Curated by Pablo Rossello Regional Director of Arts, British Council

Panelists: Ms. Maxine Fisher-Casserly, Chief Architect, Urban Development Corporation (UDC); Ms. Chenine Bhathena, Creative Director, Coventry City of Culture Trust; Ms. Jo Shore, Head of Public Realm, Transport & Infrastructure, Coventry City Council; Mr. Ben Kearns, Design Director, Creative Giants; Mr. Colin Bell, Director, Caribbean Association in Coventry; Mr. Raymond Poyser, Urban Planning and Development Practitioner Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal and Climate Change

 Policies for Growth of Cultural and Creative Industries through
the Festival and Experience Economy

Curated by Mr. Harold Davis, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Jamaica Business Development Corporation, an Agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce

Panelists: Ms. Maxine Fisher-Casserly, Chief Architect, Urban Development Corporation (UDC); Ms. Chenine Bhathena, Creative Director, Coventry City of Culture Trust; Ms. Jo Shore, Head of Public Realm, Transport & Infrastructure, Coventry City Council; Mr. Ben Kearns, Design Director, Creative Giants; Mr. Colin Bell, Director, Caribbean Association in Coventry; Mr. Raymond Poyser, Urban Planning and Development Practitioner Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal and Climate Change.

Capacity building in communities: promoting creative industry and preserving heritage in at-risk communities

Curated by Ms. Rhian Holder, Senior Manager, Social Development & Monitoring and Evaluation, Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF)

Panelists: Ms. Rhian Holder, Senior Manager, Social Development & M&E, Jamaica Social Investment Fund; Mr. Sabukie Allen, Director, Life Yard; Ms. Nicola Green, Local Economic Coordinator,Social Development Commission;Ms. Charmaine Brimm, Technical Specialist, PIOJ Community Renewal Programme;Dr. Joshua Chamberlain, General Manager, Alpha Boys School Radio;Ms. Nora Blake, Project Coordinator, Jamaica Social Stock Exchange.

Creative Partnership & Reverse Pitch

Curated by Coleen Douglas, Head of Marketing and Public Relations and Kimalea Campbell, Business Development Advisor, SBDC at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts

Panelists: Mr. Kimalea Campbell, Business Development Advisor, Small Business Development Centre, Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts; Ms. Renee Robinson, Film Commissioner, JAMPRO; Mr. Paul Chin, Manager, Investment Relationships, Development Bank of Jamaica; Dr. Marielle Barrow Maignan, Creative Industries Innovation Fund Coordinator, Caribbean Development Bank; Ms. Alessandra Borchi, Transcultura Project Coordinator, UNESCO Havana; Mr. Dmitri Dawkins, Entrepreneurship Development Specialist, Kingston Creative.

 CreaTech: New Platforms and Digital Technology to Develop Creative Communities

Curated by Dr. Isis Semaj-Hall, Cofounder and Editor, Pree Lit Magazine

Panelists: Dr. Isis Semaj-Hall, Cofounder and Editor, Pree Lit Magazine; Dr. Michael Holgate, Creative Director, Ashe Performing Arts; Ms. Jherane Patmore, Founder, Rebel Women Lit; Mr. Jason Scott, Deputy President, Jamaica Technology and Digital Alliance (JTDA); Mr. Bonito Thompson, Digital Artist, Don Dadda JA.