Arts programme to train Tobagonians for festivals

Participants in the Arts Training Programme are key to festivals such as the Tobago Heritage Festival, the Maypole Festival and the Bele Festival.

So said Tourism and Culture Secretary Nadine Stewart-Phillips, explaining the programme would expose communities and students to professional training in the artforms of Tobago, beginning in June.

Speaking at last Wednesday’s post Executive Council media briefing at the Administrative Complex in Calder Hall, Stewart Phillips said the programme was “intended to give participants an understanding of the various disciplines and an opportunity to equip themselves with the performance skills necessary to contribute to Tobago’s various cultural artforms.”

She added that the programme, which was relaunched last Tuesday evening at the Anne Mitchell Gift Auditorium of the Scarborough Library, “seeks to develop a cadre of performers who can represent Tobago at the highest level locally, regionally and internationally.”

Stewart-Phillips also spoke about the Tourism Youth Club initiative, reminding that on May 14 the first set of students, and future tourism ambassadors, were officially appointed to the clubs.

“Over the last two weeks appointment letters were presented to the executive members of these tourism youth clubs, which was actually established in seven secondary schools - Scarborough Secondary, Speyside High School, Roxborough Secondary, Goodwood Secondary, Mason Hall Secondary, Pentecostal Light and Life, Scarborough Secondary and Signal Hill Comprehensive,” she said.

She said the Youth in Tourism initiative was an innovative platform with the responsibility of promoting youth leadership in tourism and creating awareness among students and young people about the various benefits to be derived from the industry.

“The club (initiative) targets secondary schools in Tobago and focuses on education, social and cultural opportunities in tourism. It also serves as a catalyst to stimulate students’ interest and involvement and provides an avenue for engagement and interactions, allowing them to see tourism as a viable career option driving entrepreneurial activities and becoming future tourism ambassadors,” she said.