On Blank Canvas, guest host Katrina Cartwright (the NAGB’s Education and Outreach Manager) discusses the Bahamian Orange Economy, it’s connection to the Historical Jumbey Village, and the importance of the creative industries to the Bahamian identity and growth with Interim Executive Director Dr. Ian Bethell Bennet, Pat Rahming, and Arien Rolle.
On Blank Canvas, host Amard Rolle (the NAGB’s Executive Assistant) discusses the Bahamian Orange Economy and it’s connection to the Historical Jumbey with Director Dr. Ian Bethell Bennet, artist-architect James Rolle and Arien Rolle in discussion about.
By Dr Ian Bethell Bennett. According to the governor of the Central Bank of The Bahamas, John A. Rolle: “The Concept of Orange Economy been around for 20 years. All sectors whose goods and services are based on [Intellectual Property], Architecture, Art… [this is the] [e]volving space of creativity. . . 4.3 trillion dollars [are spent in it] 2/12 times military expenditure”… London, New York, Miami, all bring in millions a year from the Creative Industries. This is where the growth is in the economy; it is not in the imports that drain the cash from the national coffers. Shakespeare in Paradise is a tremendous example of the local Orange Economy. As the world advances into a service-oriented economy, where more people enjoy entertainment outside of their homes, or entertainment that they can access through the World Wide Web, we also stand to gain access to untapped markets. However, we, as the people of The Bahamas, have to be there. Currently, we are not.
Creative industries are a ‘new’ fixture in the discussions among government development folks. They want to expand the reach of the creative industries and link these with tourism. Creative industries are about celebrating all that is creative and allowing these creative areas to generate new streams of income for the country. Music and dance comprise the creative industries.