KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican government has announced the creation of the Institute for Cultural Practitioners, Innovators, Entertainers, and Creatives (ICPIEC), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering innovation and excellence in cultural and heritage-focused programming. The institute will offer advanced, flexible education and professional development across diverse creative fields, including the arts, digital technology, archaeology, gastronomy, and creative entrepreneurship.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, Olivia Grange, unveiled the plan during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday. She presented a Green Paper on the National Policy for Culture, Entertainment, and the Creative Economy, outlining the government’s vision for the sector.
Grange emphasized that the ICPIEC will leverage partnerships with local and international institutions, including universities and colleges, to champion human development and strengthen Jamaica’s creative ecosystem. ‘We are building an institutional framework that values our cultural identity, manages cultural resources effectively, nurtures talent, and prepares creatives for global competition,’ she stated. The institute will also introduce a micro-credentialing model, enabling cultural practitioners to earn certifications while continuing their professional work.
To support this initiative, the government will establish the Jamaica Entertainment and Cultural Development Foundation, a registered charity designed to provide sustainable funding. The foundation will mobilize investments from the government, the diaspora, and private donors, focusing on infrastructure development, program funding, event execution, and institutional capacity-building.
Additionally, the Ministry is advancing the Entertainment, Culture, and Creative Economy Act, which aims to formalize the industry, safeguard creatives’ rights, foster private-sector collaboration, and incentivize sustainable growth. ‘This legislation will enable us to measure, monitor, and value the sector’s contributions while ensuring policies adapt to technological, economic, and social trends,’ Grange explained.
The policy also addresses the sustainability of Jamaica’s festival economy, which impacts community, national, regional, and international events. This comprehensive approach underscores the government’s commitment to positioning Jamaica as a global leader in the creative industries.