WHAT’s de WORD with NICKI: – Exploring Dominica’s Creative Industries (Part One)  

Election Day will soon be here and the leaders continue to mind-screw the masses with their brilliant strategy of distraction. Oh what a few T-shirts and umbrellas can do to a simple minded target group.  I and other level-headed companions however, continue to discuss issues that actually matter.

This week, a few friends and I sat beneath a tangerine tree taking full advantage of its bounty. Our conversation strayed along the lines of Art in Dominica and where it is, where it is going, or rather, where it should be and as I dug into the pungent pulp of the fruit, I thought intently about the Creative Industries on island, a topic I believe many of us haven’t taken the time to think about, either because we are uninterested, or possibly unaware of its purpose and benefit.

As an aspiring artist, I tend to think about the status and potential of The Creative Industries, the field within which I wish to enter, for obvious reasons and I find myself asking many questions. Is there any potential for growth? What are the specific sectors which make up this larger industry? Can I obtain gainful employment within this field? Is there a demand for Creative Services on island? How do others who do not fall within this field view the Creative Industries? How important are they to Dominica’s GDP? How do I prepare myself for such opportunity if it becomes available? There are so many questions to which I have very few answers. (Well at least, for now)

But, hope seems to be alive. Over passing time, while my friends and I discuss our decisions to enter the field of art for employment, the Gods seem to have been sending us signs of their approval.  The most obvious though, stemmed from this year’s World Creole Music Festival and a meeting on its behalf, held by the Discover Dominica Authority, which featured Dr. Keith Nurse, consultant. I must confess that secretly I had found something a bit off with the WCMF 2014.  Having been both a patron and an employee I now had two different experiences which I could compare. My comparison only led me to one conclusion. Something seems to be missing. There is the stage, location, music,  media, food, drink, patrons and a managing body, yet, it is obvious that a piece of the puzzle just isn’t there.

From Dr. Nurse’s presentation, my assumptions on the missing piece of the puzzle were finally confirmed. The World Creole Music Festival, like many other events, industries, institutions, and cultures in Dominica, is severely lacking the Art factor. It seems like now, more than ever, there is a need for a potent injection of Art into this malnourished nation.

Dr Nurse began his presentation by focusing on the Creative Industries. For those of you who may be unaware, I shall provide a definition.

Creative Industries: ‘Those industries that are based on individual creativity, skill and talent with the potential to create wealth and jobs through developing intellectual property’ – includes thirteen sectors: advertising, architecture, the art and antiques market, crafts, design, designer fashion, film, interactive leisure software (ie. video games), music, the performing arts, publishing, software, and television and radio.’                                                                                               

He continued to expand on how these industries positively impact the economies and societies of many major countries and Caribbean islands and such words inspired me to explore the Creative Industries as relates to our dear island and share some of the observations that I’ve made. Here are just a few of them. 

1. There can be a thriving Art Industry in Dominica, like the rest of the world

One of the things which really surprised me from Dr. Nurse’s presentation was the mention of the fact that the major contributor to America’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) was its copyrightable products. By that I mean intellectual property such as music, film, books etc… These larger economies strive on the sale of their creative products which people like you and I consume and enjoy. (Come on, you know you have many American artists in your music player, don’t be ashamed) It got me thinking of how we are the complete opposite in Dominica. We barely export ANY of our creative products and that is the first set back. There are however, many minor problems which contribute to this major setback but please bear with me as I cannot obviously touch on all of them, given my limited experience and very short attention span.

The economic environment does not provide any encouragement to artists to produce. There is a small if not non-existent market for creative products in Dominica such as books, films, visual art, music, dance, theatre, antiques etc… Artists need money to mass produce and no one wants to fund them because they do not have faith in the power of the product and the industry and may not be interested in its development. Also, I believe that the population of art appreciators (AKA the customers) is relatively small in a small overall population. It therefore, doesn’t seem like the wisest career choice to many as it may not provide the needed income, that is, if you plan on only selling your product in Dominica.

There are very few organisations and associations who aim to support the art industries and many are underfunded, which gives them little power to assist and make a difference. (At least, so I conclude)

But this can change. For if the artists become revolutionary and begin producing items that are in demand (such as clothing, proper entertainment etc) and convince stakeholders of the return which can be received on their investment I believe that there is a field just waiting to be explored in dear Dominica, and just like the UK, US, Trinidad and Jamaica, we CAN create and sustain a vibrant art industry providing to both local and foreign markets.

2. Schools, please take Art seriously…Please

I used to be a teacher. It was my first permanent job and I held unto it for six years. During my stay in the Government Education System, both as a student and teacher, I have observed that Art has and is still on the back burner in our schools. From Primary to Secondary to Tertiary, the Dominican Education System makes very little provision for Art as a serious subject and yet again, there are many tiny contributing problems to this.

Many teachers still see Art as a hobby; something that is done in one’s spare time which only comes second to the ‘more important’ subjects like English, Math, Science and Social Studies. Many schools do not plan and execute the subject of Art, purely because they do not see it as important. Therefore, from a very young age, artists are brutally discouraged and not recognised.

Additionally, many schools do not have trained art teachers who are capable of building the necessary skills and mind set in aspiring artists. Because of this we find the subject of Art being taught like its opponent; Science. But the beauty of this non-discipline is that it has no rules or formulas. It is purely intuitive and very personal. Therefore, it just cannot be taught inside the box.

Many schools lack the materials and space necessary for the instruction of the subject. At my school, most of our Art material was donated or bought by a combined fund put together by interested parents. I am not sure if this is the case in others as well. This makes it even more difficult to teach the subject as many times I would find myself dipping into my own pocket to provide material needed for an effective lesson. (And I am not the only one who would do so)

In a communication driven world, it is just ridiculous (for want of a better word) that there is no Communication and Media Programme at our State College or in our Secondary Schools. We should be training students to be competent and competitive in the world as it is NOW and how it WILL BE and not how it WAS. Almost everything revolves around virtual communication and there are so many sub fields which fall within this category. We must ensure that students are taught the necessary skills, both in major and elective programmes to deal with the technology-dominated, modern world. And with such instruction will rise a breed of modern day Dominican artists and give birth to a whole new market which is only now dormant and waiting to explode.

            Every year we hear of groups of students being given scholarships by the Government to pursue studies in the same fields: Medicine, Law, Economics etc… But where are the artists? Do we not see it fit to have creative professionals as well in our work pool? Are we raising a one-sided society?

Is the reason for the disorganisation and slow decline in the quality of entertainment on island due to the fact that our society is lacking a crucial section of its work force- The Creative Proffessionals? Maybe this is something that the heads in Education and Labour on island must put into consideration when planning how to develop and invest in the intellectual workforce of our future nation.

It’s Time for the artists to take themselves seriously so that society can do the same:

Last year at independence time, I was privileged to have a wee chat with The King of Soca- Machel Montano. In our hyped-up chat (this guy has mad energy) I posed the question:

Nicki:              I know you’ve taken Soca music from Trinidad and brought it to the international world. Do you have any advice to give our local artists as to bridging the gap and bringing Bouyon music to the world?

Machel:        We have to focus on a Caribbean sound…On a bigger market…Once you big in Trinidad Carnival, you big all around the world. This has worked for Allison Hinds, Edwin Yearwood, Skinny Fabulous of St. Vincent…We know a little bit of the WCK. Benjie, I know has been trying. We would love to see a lot more of the artists come down to Trinidad and collaborate. Bring the Bouyon Music!

When we present it to the Trinidad Carnival and put some of the culture in it, they’ll say “Oh, this have a nice twist! Where is this from?”

You have to do the things that make the in roads that cause the entry points.

You can check out the interview here:

These words form the super-charged performer remained in my mind and I believe it to be excellent advice and an open invite to the Bouyon artists. Maybe with such collaborations we can finally see the much needed improvement in that art form. It leaves me to conclude that the new generation of artists (not only musicians) need to be more innovative and make plans to extend the reach of Dominican Art.

We must take advantage of the internet, which connects us to the world and the Caribbean Market which can be the entry point to the rest of this globe. Do we take part in Caribbean Art events? What is our presence in the Caribbean Creative Industry? Are we stuck within the Nature Isle?

There are film festivals throughout the Caribbean, Story competitions, Fashion Shows etc. and Dominica seems to always be absent. This may, again, boil down to the fact that many artists need funding to participate in these events. And if you’re in the field, then you’d know that asking for funding in Dominica is like asking for the horn off a unicorn’s head.

But a movement needs only the first push. Maybe it is time for the artists to take a new approach to Art as a business and livelihood in Dominica and work out how we can introduce our very unique Art and culture first to the Caribbean and next to the rest of the world.

To be continued…