National Cultural Foundation

The National Cultural Foundation is located at West Terrace, St. James, Barbados and has been mandated with the sole responsibility of overseeing the cultural landscape of Barbados.

 

The artistic disciplines within the National Cultural Foundation are: Visual Arts (which encompasses Fine Art and Craft), Literary Arts, Music, Dance and Theatre Arts and Research, Film & Photography.

 

About the National Cultural Foundation

Established by an Act of Parliament in 1983, this statutory body was located at Culloden Farm in the first two years of operation until its relocation to West Terrace, St. James in 1986.

 

During the early years of its operations (1984 – 1995) the head of the National Cultural Foundation was called the Director. In 1994, this term was subsequently changed to Chief Executive Officer in order to reflect the new role and expanded focus on the business of culture.

 

In the same years of 1984 and 1985, Barbados was divided into seven zones and as such, the National Cultural Foundation worked in areas of community development. The zones were as follows:-

 

1. St. Peter & St. Peter
2. St. Andrew & St. Joseph
3. St. John & St. George
4. St. James & St. Thomas
5. St. Philip East & St. Michael
6. Christ Church
7. The rest of St. Michael

 

Seven field officers were dispatched to each zone with a responsibilty of implementing development programmes in the communities of their zones. This included organzing Crop Over activities so as to avoid unwanted clashes of communities or duplication of activities.

 

Part of the Field Officers' responsibilities included the supervision of staff at the island’s community centers. They were also responsible for the drawing up timetables to ensure that these centers were used adequately and with fairness to all groups and individuals using them.

 

The term Field Officers is now defunct as they are now referred to as Cultural Officers.

 

In addition, the Foundation now has an eight-member internal Management Team comprising of the Chief Executive Officer, Manager of Administration, Financial Controller, Chief Cultural Officer, Senior Business Development Officer, Technical Officer, Marketing Officer and Corporate Communications Specialist.

 

Mission Statement

To fuel the development of culture through training, research and the creation of opportunities in cultural industries.

 

The Role of the National Cultural Foundation

The National Cultural Foundation's (NCF) two major roles are: developmental and commercial.

 

Developmental Role

The developmental role of the National Cultural Foundation is one in which Barbados' culture is used as an instrument for national development, promoting and looking after a variety of art forms and new cultural products.

 

Commercial Role

The commercial role of the National Cultural Foundation is responsible for the promotion, production and hosting of cultural festivals and associated events that are considered economically viable or socially acceptable in Barbados. A key part of this function now includes the responsibility for the staging and execution of major governmental and national events. In addition, as culture becomes more pivotal to national and international policy, the National Cultural Foundation continues to re-assess its responsibilities in light of all its functions.

 

Functions of the National Cultural Foundation are:

To stimulate and facilitate the development of culture generally
To develop, maintain and manage theatres and other cultural facilities and equipment provided by Government
To organize cultural festivals
Assist persons interested in developing cultural expression.

 

Objectives of the National Cultural Foundation are:

 

To provide opportunities for Barbadian artists/artistes to showcase their talents with the end result being an increased demand for local work
   
To educate Barbadians concerning their heritage
   
To offer Barbadians and visitors alike a high quality product that informs, educates and entertains
   
To equip our cultural workforce with technological skills and training to excel in their particular art forms
   
To strengthen the local cultural product and in the process increase profits to the shareholders
   
To create high quality products that will be competitive on the local, regional and international markets
   
To maximize the role of the cultural sector in the tourism industry

 

Further information on the National Cultural Foundation, West Terrace, St. James,  Barbados can be sourced at the following website http://ncf.bb/. Telephone (246) 424-0909, Fax: (246) 424-0916 or Email: .

 

bds-map
2019 BPG SunAds bit
2019 BPG SunAds imart