Students at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA) were urged by Mrs. Gillian Hyde, general manager, JN Small Business Loans (JNSBL) to take advantage of the opportunities to fund businesses in the creative industries, which are well poised to earn foreign currency.
She was the guest speaker at the opening of the School of the Visual Arts Final Year Exhibition at the college on Saturday, June 4 where the works of 26 students are on display, in the areas of: Ceramics, Painting, Visual Communication, Textiles and Fiber Arts, Sculpture, Jewellery, in the Bachelor of Art Education programme.
“I was heartened to learn that students hope to build on their displays here today, by becoming entrepreneurs; and not only at the primary value chain level; but, on a scale that can create jobs and earn foreign currency, while exporting our country’s culture to the wider world,” Mrs. Hyde stated.
Her advice to the budding creative entrepreneurs was that they should carefully examine existing arrangements within the European Union – African Caribbean and Pacific Trade Agreement; and other avenues for financing, to increase the production of cultural products and services in Jamaica.
And, she explained that the Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific (EU-ACP) countries and regions, were designed to promote = trade; and ultimately contribute, through trade and investment, to support sustainable development and poverty reduction.
“Naturally, you would also need to pay keen attention to local opportunities to grow your operations, companies such as JN Small Business Loans believe in entrepreneurship; and have assisted persons to grow their businesses and be successful,” she outlined.
She emphasized that, over the years, JNSBL has assisted many micro and small entrepreneurs in the creative industries to grow their operations; and the company was committed to expanding the sector.
“We believe that the creative industries will become a major player in increasing the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in a few years, if it receives the required time and investment,” Mrs Hyde said.
The general manager pointed out that, “At present creative industries contribute five percent of the country’s GDP and generates more than US$20 million, annually”.
In her introductory remarks, Edna Manley College Principal, Dr. Nicholeen DeGrasse-Tyson said the Visual Arts programme allowed students to develop technical competence in a range of media while acquiring appropriate verbal and literary proficiencies.
Director of the School of the Visual Arts, Miriam Smith stated that the exhibition represented the diverse creative thinking of the students whose work portrayed a variety of cultural references, which reflected their learning experience.
This 2016 exhibition covered themes, such as social commentary, branding, cultural retention and personal narratives. The School of the Visual Arts Final Year Exhibition is a requirement of the examination process for Studio Practice and Art Education.
