On Thursday February 26th, the Cayman National Cultural Foundation revealed the winners of the 21st Annual National Arts & Culture Awards. The National Arts and Culture Awards recognise those who attain a level of merit in their artistic discipline or contribute to the arts, culture and heritage of the Cayman Islands. The 2014 Heritage Cross Awards and Star for Creativity in the Arts Awards were presented, along with recognitions for Volunteer of the Year, Sponsor of the Year and for outstanding long-term support of CNCF’s work (the Chairman’s Award). The awards ceremony is a CNCF initiative that began in 1990 and though disrupted for a few years after Hurricane Ivan, resumed in 2008. Each year there is a call for nominations from cultural and heritage organisations, in collaboration with the general public.

The awards presentations took place at the Harquail Theatre, where guests were treated to a short film celebrating CNCF’s 30th anniversary, as well as live entertainment. The Cayman Islands Folk Singers opened the ceremony with the national song and, later performed two Caymanian folk songs, ‘Hawksbill Story’ and ‘Darling Abraham’. Young at Arts storyteller, Vitoria Buttrum was followed Mr Roy Bodden reading from his book ‘Reflections From A Broken Mirror’. There was also a very moving performance from the Pat Bent play ‘Hannah’s Confession’ and the UCCI Performing Arts Group, gave a very upbeat performance at the evening’s end.

Hon. Alden McLaughlin, Premier and Minister of Culture, joined the celebrations including giving a speech and presenting an award. The Premier said:

“The contributions CNCF has made over the years in preserving the cultural heritage and promoting our creative artists have been extraordinary and I am humbled that I was given an opportunity to help with that work when I served on the CNCF board.

Cayman, over the past 50 years in particular, has seen massive amounts of people from all over the world come to live and work in our country. When I was born, the population was 8,500. Now it is close to 60,000 people. With that meteoric increase in population in a small country that supports more than 120 different nationalities, it is easy to see the fluidity of culture as it builds on the past and paves the way for the future.

We must recognise the vibrancy of the Cayman culture, realise how important it is to us as a people, and how important it has always been to those who come here and truly want to understand what life is like in Cayman.”

CNCF’s Artistic Director, Henry Muttoo, who presented a number of the Star for Creativity in the Arts Gold awards, reminded those in attendance that, “Art should make the comfortable uncomfortable, and the uncomfortable comfortable”.

Related story:
Cayman National Cultural Foundation says “Get Voting!”

TREE DECORATING COMPETITION ONLINE VOTING DEADLINE 18 MARCH

WIN ART SUPPLIES FOR YOUR SCHOOL!

VOTE AT www.facebook.com/caymanculture

DRESS FOR CULTURE DAY ONLINE VOTING DEADLINE 18 MARCH

VOTE AT www.facebook.com/caymanculture

DON’T FORGET

CNCF are still accepting entries for their
Young Image Makers Short Film Competition.
Deadline is 13 March

CALLING ALL YOUNG IMAGE MAKERS

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Who can enter: 10-17 Years
Deadline: 13 March 2015
Top Prize: All expenses paid trip to New York Film Academy

Finalists will have their films shown during CayFilm 2015

To register visit: www.artscayman.org/young-image-makers

Or call 949 5477

Visit www.artscayman.org/young-image-makers to download a registration form

www.artscayman.org or [email protected] (345} 949 5477