Persons who missed the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) Opening of Entries of the 2021 competitions on local television stations recently may view it on the JCDC’s Facebook and Youtube pages, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission and JCDC Jamaica respectively.
The 2021 competitions began accepting entries on Monday, May 3 in a soft launch on the JCDC’s website. This was followed by an official televised launch on Thursday, May 6, which was broadcast on local television stations and live-streamed on the JCDC’s social media pages.
The competitions that are currently accepting entries are the Jamaica Festival Song Competition, the Jamaica Gospel Star Competition, Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition, the Jamaica Culinary Arts Competition, The Jamaica Creative Writing Competition, the Jamaica Visual Arts Competition, and the National Festival of the Performing Arts subject areas of Dance, Drama & Theatre, Speech and Music.
"We promised our 2021 Festival participants that we would open entries as soon as possible, and so as soon as we were up and running we launched the online entry website. This was followed shortly after by our official launch on local television stations and on social media on Thursday, which was well received by the public," said Mrs. Marjorie Leyden-Kirton, Acting Executive Director at the JCDC.
“Those who missed our launch, or who may want to re-watch it to take note of the detailed information on our new online entry process, or even just to re-live the enjoyable performances, may watch it on the JCDC’s Facebook and Youtube pages ,” she continued.
“There is no question that our talawah nation is brimming with talent, and we expect to see the resilient spirit of our creatives displayed in their entries. We are therefore encouraging all of our participants to give their very best to their entry performances, as the winners of these competitions will be highlighted during the upcoming Jamaica 59 Independence celebrations,” she added.
Mrs. Leyden-Kirton further noted that the JCDC is taking a virtual approach to all of its 2021 competitions, due to the national social distancing protocols caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Potential entrants will now be required to submit their entries digitally via the JCDC’s online platform at www.jcdc.gov.jm, while the presentation of the competitions will also take place in a digital sphere.
Persons interested in entering the JCDC’s 2021 competitions should note that with the exception of the Jamaica Festival Song Competition, all other competitions will require entrants to have a JCDC ID number, which they will receive though registration on the JCDC website. Entrants are also limited to one entry per subject area/competition.
The Jamaica Festival Song and Jamaica Gospel Star Competition will both allow ensemble entries of up to four members, while other JCDC competitions will only accept solo entries.
Potential entrants may also note pleasantly that with the exception of the Jamaica Festival Song competition, all other competitions will be free for entry.
“We are charging a small fee of $1000 for the Festival Song Competition as it is the only professional competition on the slate. Just like last year, we are looking forward to having some very big names in the music industry participating as the level of interest shown so far has been very good," Mrs. Leyden-Kirton said.
Entries close for all JCDC 2021 competitions on Monday, May 31, 2021.
