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Overview

“Export Orientation and the Cultural Industries: The Case of Barbados” by Ian W. Walcott National Cultural Foundation, Barbados. SALISES Conference Trinidad, March 26-28, 2007 Theme: Crisis, chaos and change: Caribbean Development Challenges in the 21st Century. Overview.

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Overview

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  1. “Export Orientation and the Cultural Industries: The Case of Barbados”byIan W. WalcottNational Cultural Foundation, Barbados SALISES ConferenceTrinidad, March 26-28, 2007 Theme: Crisis, chaos and change: Caribbean Development Challenges in the 21st Century

  2. Overview • Case of Barbados – strategic repositioning of economy toward export using cultural industries • Part I - successes and challenges after 40 years of Independence and current cultural policy in development framework • Part II - the goals of the national strategic plan and emanating cultural policy • Part III - an analysis of cultural exports and support mechanisms

  3. Part 1 – 40 Yrs of Independence - Successes • The island boasts a 99% literacy rate • Free education from age five right through to university • Plans to implement University College of Barbados (UCB) & one graduate per household by 2025 • The per capita income (PPP stands at US$11000 • UN Human Development Index between 26th and 31st over last ten years. • Universal health care system from cradle to grave

  4. Part 1 – 40 Yrs of Independence – Failures & Challenges • “First World country with Third World constraints” • Over-consumption • High levels of debt • Legacy of slavery – dominant white business class • Mottley’s Siege Mentality • Nettleford – Caribbean leadership’s Eurocentric worldview

  5. Part I – 40 Yrs of Independence –Opportunities & Threats • Cultural industries as development vehicle • Entrepreneurship • Wealth creation • Need for Science & Technology Policies • Integrated communication technologies and Internet • E-commerce

  6. Part II - National Strategic Planning & Culture • National Strategic Plan of Barbados 2005 – 2025 (Goals) • Developed status by 2025 through cultural transformation • Improved governance – free of colonialism vestiges • People-centric development • Environmental protection • Increased competitiveness – insertion in global system • Improved image of Barbados

  7. Defining Barbadian Culture, Technology & Cultural Policy • Brathwaite – ethno-historical linkages • Smallness and pragmatism • 21st century reality & cultural diversity • Reconfigured space – CSME, virtual reality • Emerging global citizenry • Importance of Internet

  8. Defining Barbadian Culture, Technology & Cultural Policy • Cultural policy – cluster model • Music, Fashion, Film • Cultural industries – adopted UNESCO categories

  9. Advantages of Clustering • Cross-fertilization allowed to take place; • Creative synergies encouraged and allowed to organically evolve; • Creativity of clusters drives new business models; • Promotes innovation; • Promotes management in a projectized environment

  10. Advantages of Clustering • Reduces the risk of stagnation; • Clusters are project driven, proactive entities and react quickly to change; • Promote an environment of change; • Attracts creative energy, imagination, skilled personnel and investment.

  11. Part III - Export Orientation What will we sell the rest of the world? • CARIFESTA 1981 – Creative Catalyst • Formation of NCF – 1983 • US$100 million festival management experience • Crop Over Impact – US$25 million • Importance of NIFCA

  12. Cases of Successful Export • Rihanna • Product of Combermere School • Beneficiary of retrofitting for CARIFESTA 1981 • Legacy of high performance in the arts • Need of curriculum reform

  13. Cases of Successful Export • Barbadian Art • Barbadiana • Social sales and breakthroughs • West Coast Paradox • Challenge of pricing our art

  14. Cases of Successful Export • Community Arts • Linkage to tourism • Developing new products • Developing presence on the web • Excellent case of raising international funding

  15. Cases of Successful Export • Antonio Cumberbatch • Design Talent • BCC Graduate • Making a name in Caribbean • CAF grant recipient

  16. The National Cultural Foundation as Enabler of Cultural Policy

  17. Conclusions • The four cases demonstrate Barbados’ has a huge potential • Success in international market requires strong notion of ‘self’ • Internet important gateway to market and sell our cultural goods, services • Implications for government policy – Science & Technology • NCF reconfiguration necessary • NCF must become enabler to support breakthrough into the international market • Requires internal reform and reduction in bureaucracy

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