by Linda Straker
- New GCF chairperson is Kirl Hoschtialek
- New board held first meeting on 9 October
Norland Cox, Culture and the Arts Minister has disclosed that the Grenada Cultural Foundation (GCF) Board of Directors has a new chairperson because of the possible conflict of interest that can arise if the former chairperson had continued to serve in that position.
The former chairperson Quinta Charles recently took up the post as Accountant General for the government. The new chairperson is Kirl Hoschtialek who is presently the Product Development Manager at the Grenada Tourism Authority.
Cox said that the new board held their first meeting on 9 October. The board according to Act number 9 of 2017 shall consist of not less than 7 and not more than 11 members appointed by the minister representing various sectors.
The sectors are:
- Grenada Tourism Authority established under the Grenada Tourism Authority Act 2013;
- Â Spicemas Corporation;
- Â Grenada Conference of Churches;
- Â Creative industry;
- Â Ministry of Education;
- Â Ministry of Finance;
- Â Ministry of Youth or Sport;
- Â Carriacou and Petite Martinique Festivals Board;
- Â Chief Cultural Officer; and
such other entities as the Minister considers appropriate, which may include other Cultural Corporations and Management Committees of public festivals.
Some of the other members of the new board include:
- James Stafford, representing Carriacou and Petite Martinique;
- Roydon Beharry, representing the Ministry of Youth,
- Keville Jacobs, representing the Creative Industry;
- Genevieve Gibbs, Chairperson of Spicemas Corporation,
- Thomas Matthew, Chief Cultural Officer, Ministry of Culture
- Finley Jeffery, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education.
The legislation says that the minister shall appoint a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson from amongst the persons appointed.
According to the Grenada Cultural Foundation legislation, which was approved in 2017, the objectives of the foundation are, among other things, to assist in the formulation of a national cultural policy;  stimulate, develop and promote cultural and artistic capabilities and expressions of the Grenadian people; provide the necessary managerial and organisational infrastructure for the efficient and effective development, presentation and marketing of Grenada’s cultural industries and products.
The foundation should also develop, maintain and manage all cultural facilities and equipment provided by the government; be responsible for the oversight of activities of other cultural corporations, including public festivals and the annual carnival festival with the objective of making them viable, national, cultural and commercial enterprises and organise and produce other festivals, celebrations and events.
The members according to the legislation shall assist in the setting up of a cultural information system; facilitate ongoing research and documentation of cultural history of Grenada with the objective of preserving and conserving the cultural heritage and provide the necessary support and facilities to assist persons interested in the development of cultural expression.
