O'Maro BekeleJamaica does not have a shortage of culture. It has a shortage of infrastructure to hold what the culture already produces.Every year the calendar fills with festivals, showcases, and one…
O'Maro BekeleTo understand Caribbean art, one must first understand Africa.Across the Caribbean, the influence of Africa can be seen in music, dance, storytelling, religion, language, visual arts and performance traditions. Though…
O'Maro Bekele8 minutes read time. Are Caribbean theatre schools preparing students for the creative economy or only the stage? The World University of Design in India recently announced new four year…
O'Maro BekeleThe Festival Economy: Why Events Could Become One of Jamaica’s Most Powerful Economic Engines When most people think about festivals, they think about entertainment. They think about the stage. The…
O'Maro BekeleCan Jamaica Build a Billion Dollar Creative Economy? Jamaica has long been one of the world’s most influential cultural nations. That statement is not an expression of patriotism. It is…
O'Maro BekeleWhat does it mean to be Caribbean? The answer has never been simple. The Caribbean is one of the most culturally diverse regions in the world. Its people descend from…
O'Maro BekeleBefore there were publishing houses, radio stations, film studios or social media platforms, there were stories. Across the Caribbean, generations passed down history, values, beliefs and cultural knowledge through spoken…
O'Maro BekeleWhat Jamaica’s New Creative Economy Policy Means for Artists, Performers and Cultural Practitioners Whenever a new government policy is released, creatives often ask the same question: “What does this mean…
O'Maro BekeleWhy Jamaica’s New Creative Economy Policy Matters For years, Jamaican creatives have been told that culture is one of our greatest assets. Politicians have said it. Business leaders have said…
O'Maro BekeleFor decades, Jamaica’s culture has been one of the country’s most powerful exports. Our music has travelled the globe. Our language has shaped international popular culture. Our athletes, storytellers, dancers,…