Kingston, Jamaica- On October 1, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport will recognize outstanding individuals, schools and other groups at the JCDC Marcus Garvey Awards for Excellence in the Performing Arts.

The ceremony will be held at Little Theatre in St Andrew, and will celebrate outstanding performers and teachers who have made invaluable contributions in the national performing arts competitions organized by the JCDC and staged earlier this year.

The highlight of the event will be the announcement of the coveted top prize - the Marcus Garvey Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts, which is presented to the school or group which emerges with the most points from its participation in the Festival of the Performing Arts competitions.

This year’s nominees are Ardenne High School, from the Corporate Area, (seeking its 13th hold on the prestigious title and trophy), St Jago High, from St Catherine (seeking title number 12), first-time nominee Godfrey Stewart Performing Arts Society from Westmoreland; and returning nominees, Green Island High School from Hanover and the Port Antonio Theatre Group from Portland.

The JCDC Marcus Garvey Awards for Excellence in the Performing Arts Ceremony was first staged in 1994. Other awards will also be presented in the following categories: Outstanding Presentations, Outstanding Teacher, and Special Achievement Awards.

The keynote speaker at this year’s ceremony will be Education and Youth Minister, the Honourable Fayval Williams.

The host for the Awards will be the Honourable Olivia Grange, the Minister of Culture, Gender and Entertainment & Sport. Speaking on the calibre of performers who are set to be recognized, the Minister noted that the awards is a testament to the generally high standard of the entries received each year for JCDC competitions, and further highlights the role of the JCDC as an incubator, which serves as an invaluable feeder to the ecosystem of the cultural and creative industries.

“Each year teachers, students and other individuals literally outdo themselves as they raise the bar with their talents and performances. I am forever impressed by the way Jamaicans show up and show out each year as they participate in the annual Festival of the performing arts. This underscores how talented we are as Jamaicans and in no uncertain terms contributes to the further development and preservation of the country’s rich cultural tapestry,” said Minister Grange.

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) is the primary organization in Jamaica that celebrates excellence across all the performing arts, including music, dance, drama, traditional folk forms and speech. The Commission provides a platform for Jamaicans to showcase their talent and creativity through national competitions, festivals, and other programs that span a wide range of art forms.