The Division of Culture in the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture has announced the introduction of the Lauren Ramdhanny Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts as a major highlight of the Grenada Festival of the Arts 2026.
The announcement was made during the festival’s official media launch on Tuesday at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium. Chief Cultural Officer Kelvin Jacob explained that the award is being established in tribute to the outstanding contributions of Ramdhanny, an accomplished musical director and retired cultural officer. “The award will be presented to the school or group that demonstrates overall excellence, based on achieving the highest number of awards and maintaining the highest standard of performance across disciplines,” Jacob stated.
Another notable addition to this year’s festival is the inclusion of power and groovy soca categories, recognising the strong connection between these genres and past festival participants.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture Senator Quinc Britton reiterated the Government’s commitment to the development of the arts as a vehicle for youth empowerment. “We recognise that the future of our country depends not only on academic achievement, but also on the ability of our young people to express themselves, think creatively, and engage meaningfully with their culture,” he said. “These investments are deliberate, because we understand that culture is not a luxury — it is a foundation of our national development,” he added.
The Grenada Festival of the Arts provides an inclusive platform for schools across the tri-island state to showcase their talent in a wide range of disciplines, including music, dance, drama, theatre arts, speech, and literary arts.
The Ministry of Education is partnering with the Division of Culture to support the visual arts component of the festival. Chief Education Officer Dr Dianne Abel Jeffrey gave her full endorsement of the festival, describing it as a gem that hones the talent of young people. “The real education lies in holistic development, and this is what the arts provide for our students,” she said.
Dr Jeffrey also commended the Division of Culture and the Ministry for creating opportunities for young people to build character and be recognised for their creativity. “The Ministry of Education welcomes this collaboration, which provides a space for students to showcase their talent,” she added.
Several recommendations emerging from last year’s national consultation aimed at improving the festival will be implemented in 2026. These include:
- Subvention support for schools
- Teacher recognition awards
- Structured training classes
The Division of Culture will host a series of panel discussions in May with each school district to provide guidance on key matters, including registration, which officially opens on Monday, 4 May 2026.
In preparation for the festival, workshops have already been held in Grenada and Carriacou for participants in theatre arts, dance, and voice. Additional sessions will continue through August.
Division of Culture
Why are they using tax payers’ money to to create an award in the name of a select individual without tax payers’ input?