Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced plans for the establishment of a $1 million arts and cultural fund to ensure that Bahamian culture is passed on to future generations.

The prime minister made the announcement during his televised national independence address, as The Bahamas celebrates 46 years as an independent country.

“To ensure that our arts sector continues to strive and grow, we are moving forward with the establishment of a $1 million arts and cultural fund,” Dr. Minnis said.  “This fund will be dedicated to supporting the development of Bahamian painters, writers, sculptors, filmmakers, artisans, playwrights, poets, musicians and performing artists involved in projects of cultural significance.”

He explained that Bahamians are wonderfully blessed with a rich and vibrant culture and through the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival generations of Bahamians have showcased their artistic talents.

However, Dr. Minnis insisted that Bahamians must preserve and celebrate their diversity of cultural expressions, while passing on traditions to future generations, as he believes the arts and cultural fund would assist with this preservation.  

“We must also stand united to preserve and promote our cultural heritage,” Dr. Minnis said.  “It is culture that makes us unique in God’s creation.  It is our ability to express ourselves culturally and to celebrate our art forms that make us complete as individuals and as a nation.  That is why we love Junkanoo so much.  It brings together our historical memory.”

Also during his independence address, the prime minister called for unity as The Bahamas faces the effects of climate change. 

“With the historic challenge of the exhilarating and life threatening effects of climate change, united we must stand to save our Bahamas from rising sea levels and the other destructive effects of a warming planet,” Dr. Minnis said.

“Climate change is a threat to our survival as a country and as a people.”