Kingston, 4 January 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has paid tribute to the Chairman of the Council of the Institute of Jamaica, James Moss-Solomon.

Minister’s Statement

“We are deeply saddened at the passing of James Moss-Solomon, the Chairman of the Council of the Institute of Jamaica.

He was one of our great business leaders, and we recently appointed him to Chair the Council. Quickly, Jimmy started a process to make the IOJ more nimble and responsive to the people of Jamaica. The IOJ and the Ministry will miss his leadership, but we will continue the necessary transformational work that he started.

Jimmy was also a creative with extraordinary talent. He was an excellent bass guitarist and keyboard player and once led a band that included Dr. Aggrey Irons.

I join with all those who mourn the passing of this outstanding Jamaican today.

Let us keep his family in our thoughts and prayers at this time.”

END

Kingston, 13 March 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced the closure of cultural and sport facilities, including museums, galleries, and stadia run by the government.

Minister Grange says the closures — with effect from Saturday, 14 March 2020 — are in keeping with the Government’s strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Jamaica and to minimise the potential health impact on the country.

The facilities that will be closed to the public are:

• African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/Jamaica Memory Bank;
• Alexander Bustamante boyhood home at Blenheim, Hanover 
• Bustamante Museum at Tucker Avenue, St Andrew;
• Paul Bogle Memorial Park at Stony Gut, St Thomas;
• Liberty Hall: The Legacy of Marcus Garvey;
• IOJ Junior Centres; 
• Simón Bolívar Cultural Centre;
• Fort Charles;
• National Gallery of Jamaica;
• Seville Heritage Park;
• National Gallery West;
• Natural History Museum of Jamaica;
• National Museum Jamaica; 
• Jamaica Music Museum;
• National Library of Jamaica;
• National Stadium;
• National Aquatics Centre;
• and Trelawny Stadium

The facilities will remain closed to the public until further notice, however staff will report to work as normal.

Minister Grange says “the closure of the facilities is a necessary precaution in the national effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to keep people safe.”

She has encouraged members of the cultural, sport and entertainment sectors to take all necessary precautions and follow the guidance of the health authorities.

END

The Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) and the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) are ramping up efforts, to promote and protect Jamaica’s artefacts.