Kingston, 11 March 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced a covid-19 relief programme for registered small companies and umbrella organisations within the Entertainment, Culture and Creative Industries.

The Ministry will be offering grants to entities affected by covid-19.

“The grants will range from a million Jamaican dollars to 400-thousand Jamaican dollars,” said the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange as she announced the opening of the applications portal on the Ministry’s website here.

Minister Grange said the size of grants to companies and organisations would depend on the entity and the size of the sector they serve.

“Within the sector you have large organisations such as JaRIA, JAVAA, and the Jamaica Federation of Musicians; and you have small business entities say in theatre, in dance, in film that will also be considered for grants.”

To be eligible for grants, companies and organisations must have been in operation prior to the covid-19 pandemic and be able to prove it using company registration documents, tax compliance certificate and event flyer.

The entities must also be signed up to the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport's e-Registry; and must have an account (with any local bank) in Jamaican currency.

The deadline for application is Wednesday, March 17 at midnight.

Minister Grange said:
“It’s a small window… [and] I want to encourage those entities to apply now. We want to provide these funds to you for capacity building, capacity strengthening, and also to provide these small registered entities with funds to restart after the covid devastation…before the end of the financial year.”

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Kingston, 27 January 2022 – Reggae Month, now in its 15th year, will launch with a Church Service on Sunday, January 30, 2022 beginning at 10am.

In keeping with the current rules for religious gathering, mainly key Government Officials and Reggae Industry Stakeholders will be in attendance. The Chief congregants will include the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, and the Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Edmund Bartlett.

The service will be broadcast and streamed live on various platforms. It will feature performances by Alicia Taylor, John Mark Wiggon, and the Go for God Music Ministry.

Reggae Month 2022, which will be an official Jamaica 60 activity, will include a range of events in Jamaica and its Diaspora.

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Kingston, 11 September 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has issued the following statement at the passing of Jamaican singer, Karen Smith.

Minister’s Statement

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Karen Smith. A voice that reverberated among the cultural and entertainment icons is now muted and the silence echoes with her amazing personality, grace and love for her people.

Karen was one of the queens of stage performance. Whether she was performing at national or international events or in little country churches, she was always engaging, entertaining and charming.

In her performances and in her leadership role, Karen has left an indelible imprint on the culture, arts and entertainment landscape of Jamaica. She was an active contributor to the cause of industry development.

We will always remember Karen’s legendary voice, engaging personality, enduring warmth and her advocacy.

I offer sincerest condolences to her husband Jackie Jackson, daughter Courtni, mother Barbara, and other relatives and friends.

Jamaica’s quintessential songbird now sings in the choirs of New Jerusalem.

Walk good Karen into God’s eternal peace”.

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Kingston, 1 April 2021 - The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has issued the following statement at the passing of Bert Rose:

“I am deeply saddened at the passing of Bert Rose, outstanding dancer, choreographer and creative, founding member of the NDTC and co-founder of the Jamaica School of Dance.

“Bert Rose stands among those creative artists and practitioners with which our country has been blessed since the time of our Independence. Founding member of the National Dance Theatre Company, Bertie, as he was affectionately known, enjoyed the honour of performing on the occasion of our country’s Independence. From that moment, Bertie became a part of the dance-scape of Jamaica, carving out Jamaican-Caribbean dance techniques, eager to bolster the scope of innovation that underpinned the move to create a Caribbean dance aesthetic.

“As a dancer, Bert Rose lit up every stage on which he appeared with his energy, faultless technique and enthusiasm. As choreographer, even while still performing, he brought to Jamaica’s dance development, passion, innovation and drive that resulted in new creations well received by audiences. Bertie exuded dance in his every step, discussion and creation. He felt and displayed the pulse of the Jamaican people as he took to stages across the world. From the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance in New York, to participation in off-Broadway productions there, to his two-year stint in Austria to his performances with the NDTC across the world, Bertie was electric and electrifying.

“Bert Rose was also loved by audiences and students for his willingness to give of himself to others and to the sustaining of a Jamaican-Caribbean dance form. He taught for many years at the School of Dance and encouraged his students to strive for excellence. For him, like his many times choreographer, the late Rex Nettleford, the creation of a Jamaican-Caribbean aesthetic must be a part of our definition as an independent Jamaica.

“Later in his life, Bertie displayed his versatility and flexibility when, after retiring from the performance space, he established Rose and Company to create and provide props and technical artistic support to productions.

“As creative, his work was amazing and again well-received in government and corporate circles. His work in this area included the Grand Gala in the National Stadium and other local and national events. Again, as before, Bertie stamped his emblem on all his creations. You knew it was Bertie’s work once you saw it.

“Among the roles for which Bertie has been forever revered is his performance in Nettleford’s Dialogue for Three. Among his earliest choreographies that will always be remembered was Thursday’s Child and Glory Road. Ironically, Bert made his transition to dance on Glory Road today, Thursday of Holy Week.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, I wish to express deepest condolences to his family, including the NDTC family, friends and enthusiasts. Bertie will always be with us as his memory will loom large in every activity of creative dance that provides passion, artistic excellence, faultless technique and flair. Jamaica has indeed lost another outstanding son. He will be missed. Walk good Bertie on Glory Road.”

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Kingston, 22 January 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has expressed sadness at the death of the Jamaican music entrepreneur and impresario, Ronnie Nasralla.

Nasralla was an important figure in the export of Jamaican music in the 1960’s as a key player in the country’s participation in the World’s Fair.

Minister Grange said:
“Ronnie played a great role in the development of music in this country. He was one of the people behind the scenes who made things happen and changed the course of our culture. He will be missed.”

Through the former Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Edward Seaga, Nasralla was introduced to artist management in the early 1960s, going on to manage Byron Lee and the Dragonaires as well as The Blues Busters and The Maytals.

Nasralla produced tracks by The Blues Busters and The Maytals including "It's You" and “Daddy".

He also worked in the public relations and advertising industry, setting up Nasralla Promotions Ltd. and organised events such as the Negril Music Festival.

He was conferred with the Order of Distinction in 2013.

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Kingston, 9 September 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says she is saddened by the passing of master percussionist and songwriter, Denver 'Feluke' Smith.

"It really breaks my heart. I am saddened that he lost the battle with cancer after fighting like a Trojan against the dreaded disease," said Miss Grange.

The percussionist, singer, composer, songwriter and producer, died in Mexico on September 5 at the age of 43.

Miss Grange said, “Feluke’s vast musical talent was on display as he worked with the likes of Jimmy Cliff, Luciano, Stephen Marley, Kymani Marley, Jah Cure and many more while finding time for his own recordings such as Past Tense and Loving Heart.

“I extend sincere condolences to his family and join with many others, including his colleagues in the music fraternity, in paying tribute to Denver Feluke Smith. He left us way too soon but his contribution to Jamaican music will always be with us.

“May his soul rest in peace.”

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