More cash prizes at NIFCA

Barbadian creatives will be happy to note that the requests made for more opportunities has been heard and granted.

Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation, Carol Roberts-Reifer made this announcement during a press conference that took place at Queens Park yesterday evening.

She reported that the most repeated request from creatives was that the opportunities for winners in the National Independence Festival for Creative Arts (NIFCA) be increased, as well as for them as creatives to showcase their work and receive training, guidance and mentorship where possible.

“Those two planks are the primary reason for the upgrades across all the disciplines in NIFCA,” she said.

“I want to say that we felt it was a pivotal time, especially now that the Ministry is now not simply a Ministry of Culture, but a Ministry of Creative Economy, Culture and Sport.”

The CEO announced that there was increased prize money across the board as over 64 prizes got a cash increase, however there would also be increased opportunities for training as they roped in the help of international judges, who would steer them towards the right direction in order to provide the best training and mentorship for some of these creatives.

Chief Cultural Officer at the NCF, Andrea Wells was visibly pleased to announce the increase of prizes across all eight disciplines in NIFCA.

She revealed that this year, they implemented new cash awards, as well as the introduction of cash prizes in categories and awards that only had trophies in the past.

Additionally, she proudly announced that the coveted Prime Minister’s Scholarship, which is valued at $35 000, now had no upper age limit.

She explained that in the past, the age range for participants eligible for this prize was 16-40, however this year they have decided to have no upper age limit, which meant that senior artists were now eligible for this scholarship award.

“We have had an increase of prizes in over 64 categories in prizes in NIFCA where these prizes have seen either additions or increases, so I think this is a clear celebration of the arts and all of our creatives,” she said.