The
UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica. Friday, July 31, 2020.
—A cultural medley showcasing varied forms of Caribbean creative
expression along with eminent regional voices, will feature
prominently when The University of the West Indies (The UWI) launches
its newest Faculty of Culture,
Creative and Performing Arts this
weekend. The UWI’s ninth faculty will be situated in Cave Hill,
Barbados, bringing the total number to seven available at the Campus.

Under
the theme “Creating New Freedoms – Crafting New Futures”, a
virtual launch scheduled for Saturday, August 1 will include several
leading regional artistes during a two-hour cultural extravaganza
that will be carried on the UWItv Flow Cable channel and online
platforms. UWI students, faculty, alumni, community groups and
special guests will be among the talent on display.

The
virtual presentation comes at a time when the ongoing COVID-19
pandemic has severely curtailed performance opportunities for a range
of artistic and other cultural expressions in the region. This has
limited prospects for cultural practitioners to market and optimally
exploit their creative potential.

Saturday’s
programme will include addresses from Prime Minister of Barbados, the
Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor
Sir Hilary Beckles and Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of
The UWI, Cave Hill, Professor the Most Honourable V. Eudine
Barriteau.

Speaking
ahead of the launch, Professor Barriteau hailed the new Faculty as a
much-needed addition to the University, stating: “At a time when
Caribbean countries have recognised the development potential of the
Orange Economy, The UWI, Cave Hill is now poised to nurture a new
generation of artistes and creatives and build on the region’s
cultural and artistic resources. The programmes offered by the
Faculty will also provide an opportunity for Caribbean people to gain
a greater appreciation of our history, culture and identity and how
they interact in creative expressions.”

It
is anticipated that the new Faculty will facilitate greater
professional recognition and reward for persons employed in the
creative and cultural industries, by boosting their earning capacity
and career.

Live
coverage of the launch of The UWI’s new Faculty of Culture,
Creative and Performing Arts airs on Saturday, August 1 from 6 p.m.
Eastern Caribbean time/5 p.m. Jamaica time on www.uwitv.org,
www.facebook.com/UWITV and UWItv
Cable TV channels on the FLOW EVO.

Related
News: New
Faculty of Culture, Creative and Performing Arts coming to The UWI,
Cave Hill Campus