New Country Manager of the Caribbean Performing Arts Federation (C-PAF) Dominica, Hanif Gregoire has said one of the biggest challenges being faced by artistes on the island is lack of financial support.
Gregoire said earier this week that the situation tends to frustrate artistes and “it is not motivating”.
“I think the biggest challenge obviously is financial support,” he said. “I think our artistes are talented, I think we must obviously hone our skills and become more professional in what we are doing. And I think without the financial support, without even seeing avenues or opportunities coming your way as to where you might get a chance of receiving that kind of support, it is rather discouraging, it is not motivating and our artistes tend to get frustrated.”
He mentioned that artistes sometimes give their all to their projects, expect to get some returns and then get disappointed.
“It’s very hard,” he lamented.
Nassief pointed out that if investors, like the government and the private bodies, could come together and invest in the entertainment industry, it will make a difference.
“I think it will see a more positive drive and I think it will motivate every individual to even work harder than how they are working and to incorporate all the training…” he noted.
Meantime Chief Executive Director of C-PAF Dominica Inc, Irvin Durand, noted that local talent may not be at the level of certain venues.
“The double standard is that the local talent may not be at the level for certain venues or to fetch a certain price but when they are never invested in they will never get to that level,” he explained.
He noted that artistes must come together.
“I believe that now is the time for this redefinition,” he said. “I believe that it may take some one-one-one, it may take some more boots on the ground and it will definitely take a bridging of the divide that has existed between the government and private sector.”
I recognize they are in need of financial assistance and would welcome it. However, they should consider if they receive money from certain sectors, they will have to be careful what they sing about and of whom. You can’t expect to get help and the lyrics are unbecoming and defaming. Maybe this would assist in a good clean-up of lyrics.
I agree, this been going on since the Cadence era when Eugina’s gov’t was begged for a bit of financing to assist artists with their development; IE: purchasing musical instrument, help with travel to french islands that were very accepting, eager to record and promote Dominica’s music. At about same time Jamaican musicians did the same, got favorable response from their gov’t. Hence the well known Reggae Sound Splash that gov’t financed to travel and expose Reggae to the world, including financing of music lessons for many that showed interest. Today, Reggae supports many many Jamican families. Well, our government at the time refused to assisst and labeled the musicians of the day as merely marijuana smokers. All musicians were left to do it on their own. Many did, and carved out a good living for themselves and families. We all know who they are as they also became household names to this day. However, there may still be hope. Lesson here: Invest in artists’ development a…
You people sound like serious people,but you expect the state or the private sector is going to give you money with no plan ,no proposal,no estimate ,or no idea what you are going to do with the money or why you need the money.
I hope when u get d money, is d artists dem da get it true, and it don’t stay in ur pocket!!
Very proud of you Mr. Greogoire, keep up the positive work….
More begging…
Hey Gregoire, maybe you should change the color of your shirt from blue to labour red. And the financial will be over flowing
I agree a hundredon this .. there a locals on island with the same potential and talents as other artiste we pay the thousand to bring her .. and we leave our own and cherish another ..