CNCF grants boost to local arts scene
Samuel Rose of Swanky receives grant from Tracie Watler of the CNCF
(CNS): The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) has awarded its first round of grants for the arts for 2015, naming a diverse group of recipients — a traditional Caymanian band. a new arts festival, a young violinist and a budding screenwriter.
Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose, who is the violinist for Swanky Kitchen Band, accepted the grant on behalf of the band, and it will be used to produce a live, recorded album with an expanded 10-person group. The band hopes this third album will capture the dynamic live music experience, which has endeared Swanky to local audiences by reviving traditional Caymanian songs as well as adding new songs to their catalogue.
The album will also help Swanky gain bookings at international music festivals where they can share their traditional Caymanian music with a wider, global audience of music lovers.
The Ponciana Festival is a new three-day event celebrating film, music and art. The purpose is to nurture and showcase creative work in the Cayman Islands. Festival directors Badir Awe and Ronnie James Hughes both come from film and events backgrounds. They collaborated on the short film “The Devil You Know”, which was directed by Awe and starred Hughes. With connections in both the art and film scenes in Cayman, they hope their experiences will produce a festival that will become an annual event.
Nayil Arana with Virginia Foster of the CNCF
Though only 15, Nayil Arana has already been playing his violin for 10 years and the piano for eight years. He also plays regularly with the Savannah United Church, Cayman Music School and the Cayman Island Folk Singers. Arana will use his grant to attend the Luzerne Music Centre’s summer senior session in New York. This camp will give him the opportunity to improve his solo performances, chamber group performances and ability to work within an orchestra.
Karlie Lovinggood, who is involved in both theatre and film, will use her grant to attend the London Film Academy’s Screenwriting Foundation programme this month. Lovinggood sees this experience as an opportunity to learn skills from experienced tutors, which will help further her career in writing for both film and television. She will then be well positioned to take advantage of new opportunities as they arise in Cayman’s fast-growing film and television industries.
Grants are awarded to individuals who have been Cayman residents for the preceding 12 months, and to arts groups operating locally. Individual grants range from $250 to $1,000, with groups receiving from $500 to $3,000.
The CNCF grants committee is now accepting applications for the September 2015 session, with the deadline for submission 15 July 2015.
Grants are awarded for non-commercial arts-related activities running for a limited time, including projects and events, research and development, educational activities, professional development and training, and touring.
For more information and to download an application, visit the CNCF website. Applicants can also email CNCF or call 949-5477 for a copy of the guidelines and an application form.
Category: Film
