Twenty-seven (27) local creatives graduated from the Business of the Arts Programme on Tuesday, July 29, at the National Cultural Centre. The certificate programme, a collaboration between the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) and Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC), was launched in 2023 to equip creatives with essential entrepreneurship skills and business knowledge to help them thrive in the dynamic creative economy.

The CDF, the board and its directors at the time decided this [programme] was something that we needed to do. “What we recognized is that we had [invested in] a lot of training and development but no certification. — Darwin Guard, Chairman of the Cultural Development Foundation

The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College played a key role in shaping the academic framework for the programme, as well as providing certification. Graduates completed modules in critical areas such as Trends and Opportunities in the Creative Sector, Financing Fundamentals for the Creative Business, Creative Industries and Digital Media, and Creative Business Planning. SALCC Principal Dr. Madgerie Jameson-Charles expressed the College’s gratitude for collaborating on this programme and the value of arts;

“The arts serve as a powerful catalyst for sustainable development,” said Dr. Jameson-Charles. span class='font-weight-bold'>“In the Saint Lucian context, where our resources are limited, our creativity is limitless.”

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Adrian Augier, renowned artist, producer and economist. He shared personal stories, words of encouragement and a call to action to the inaugural cohort.

If you’re going to be sustainable, if you’re going to be successful, if you’re going to achieve the level of competency you deserve... then it really is hours and hours of developing your craft but also developing your intellect. Art must have intent. — Dr. Adrian Augier, Renowned Artist and Economist

The programme was fully-funded through the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF).