A new ResiliArt debate, Jamaica/Caribbean this time, will take place next 26 May, organized with the support of UNESCO Office in Kingston, Cluster Office for the Caribbean, and the UNESCO Regional Office for Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean, based in Havana.  Under the theme “Music and Murals: Making Cities Work for Caribbean Visual and Performing Artists During and Post COVID-19”, the debate will start at 11:00 am, Kingston time.

The debate in the Jamaica/Caribbean will explore the far-reaching impact of COVID-19 on artists in the Region and aim to provide solutions to strengthen the creative sector’s resilience. Highly recognized artists will address a wide range of topics, from how they stay connected with their public using available technologies to the current state of their respective artistic discipline. They will also share recommendations to help decision makers and private enterprises, develop suitable policies and financial mechanisms to assist artists recover from this difficult period and enhance the resilience of creative expressions. 

ResiliArt is a global movement consisting of a series of virtual debates with key industry professionals and artists – both renowned and unknown – that raises awareness of the far-reaching impact of the current confinement measures on the culture sector. It aims to support Member States in the development of policies and financial mechanisms that can help creative individuals and communities overcome the current crisis. 

The first ResiliArt debate was launched by UNESCO in partnership with the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) on 15 April 2020, World Art Day. Since then more than 25 debates have taken place worldwide. See them at http://unesco.org/resiliart-debate

The inaugural Jamaica/Caribbean debate will be hosted by the South South Collective in partnership with UNESCO, Avaya and the Institute for Caribbean Studies & Reggae Studies Unit, University of the West Indies, Mona. The debate will be moderated by Olayinka Jacobs Bonnick, cultural strategist and founder of the South South Collective. The following prominent panelists will answer tailored questions while engaging in a dialogue and building and reacting to other panelists’ responses: