The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), now in its 60th year of unearthing, developing, and showcasing the country’s creative talents, has extended the deadline for its Jamaica Festival of the Performing Arts Competitions until Monday, January 22, 2024. This includes entries by individuals, schools, community groups, and studio groups in the following subject areas:
- Dance
- Deaf Dance
- Drama and Theatre
- Traditional Folk Forms
- Music
- Drum Fest
- Speech
- Culinary Arts
- Literary Arts/Creative Writing
Director of the JCDC’s Arts Development & Training Division, Mr. Andrew Brodber, sought to clarify what he said is a common source of confusion among those wishing to enter the annual competitions.
“Submitting an entry does not mean that the final product, whether it be a dance, or song, or poem, has to be ready by the deadline for submission. It means that those wishing to participate can submit the names and titles of presentations they will be performing on the day of the Parish Audition. Every year, some teachers hesitate to enter because they believe that the final product must be fully ready when they enter, but that is not so, they can submit the entry for the piece even as they continue their preparations,” Brodber said.
“Notwithstanding that, we strongly encourage persons not to wait until the last minute to get their entries ready, given the various challenges that can arise and cause them to miss the deadline. We have seen that happen in the past, leading to bitter disappointment. We therefore urge prospects to start preparing early. But even if your preparation is running behind, do not delay in sending in your entries before the deadline passes.” Brodber added.
Widely recognized as the Caribbean region’s leading national institute for cultural development, the JCDC will yet again be combing the length and breadth of Jamaica in search of talented Jamaicans in the creative industry. It stands on a very proud and enviable record of success, as evidenced by the renowned stalwarts who literally “cut dem teeth” on its annual Festival of the Performing Arts Competition. This list reads like a “Who’s Who” of Jamaican culture and includes world-renowned cellist and founding member of award-winning reggae band Third World - Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore.
Executive Director of the JCDC, Mr. Lenford Salmon, noted that at 60 years, the national cultural preservation agency continues to lead the way in unearthing, training, and showcasing the best of Jamaica’s creative expressions.
“Our record speaks for itself and it’s something of which we are extremely proud. But we don’t use that as an excuse to sit on our laurels. We know that each year is a new year, with new challenges and new opportunities and we approach it with that in mind, knowing that our success will largely be measured by what we do in the here and now. As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we do so with humility and a sense that we must continuously review and recreate ourselves so that we remain relevant, but still cognizant of the need to maintain our authenticity,” Salmon said.
The Jamaica Festival of the Performing Arts Competition is held in three stages: 1) Parish Auditions, 2) Parish Finals and 3) National Finals. The highest-scoring gold medallists in each Class and Category moves on to the National Finals. Those not adjudged to be at that level may have attained silver or bronze medals, or merit pins, depending on the quality of their performances.
The best contestants from all parishes will then go to the National Finals, where they compete for National Trophies.
The school or group that has amassed the highest score based on the quality of awards received during the Jamaica Festival of the Performing Arts Competition in at least three art forms, will be presented with the prestigious JCDC Marcus Garvey Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts at the end of the season.
Note should be made that the JCDC is also now accepting entries for the Festival Song, Gospel Star, and Festival Queen Competitions, but that entries for Visual Arts will be accepted only in the month of June 2024.
