“Export Orientation and the Cultural Industries: The Case of Barbados”

byIan W. Walcott

National Cultural Foundation, Barbados

SALISES ConferenceTrinidad, March 26-28, 2007

Theme: Crisis, chaos and change: Caribbean Development Challenges in the 21st Century

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

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

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

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

Part II - National Strategic Planning & Culture

National Strategic Plan of Barbados 2005 – 2025 (Goals)

1. Developed status by 2025 through cultural transformation

2. Improved governance – free of colonialism vestiges3. People-centric development4. Environmental protection5. Increased competitiveness – insertion in global system6. Improved image of Barbados

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

Defining Barbadian Culture, Technology & Cultural Policy

Cultural policy – cluster model Music, Fashion, Film

Cultural industries – adopted UNESCO categories

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

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.

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

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

Cases of Successful Export Barbadian Art

Barbadiana Social sales and

breakthroughs West Coast Paradox Challenge of pricing our

art

Cases of Successful Export Community Arts Linkage to tourism Developing new

products Developing presence

on the web Excellent case of

raising international funding

Cases of Successful Export Antonio Cumberbatch

Design Talent BCC Graduate Making a name in

Caribbean CAF grant recipient

The National Cultural Foundation as Enabler of Cultural Policy

Grant seekers

Services offered

NCF asNCF asIntermediaryIntermediary

CoordinationCentral Planning

Project Mgmt Policy Dev.

Locating GrantsFacilitator

National HostEnabler

Business Artists

Private sector

Support needs

Donors

Markets

Public sector

Demand Enabler Supply

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