Cultural Information System in Saint Lucia

Historical background Until the early 2000s, the measurement of the economic contribution of cultural industries did not generate any special research interest. This was due to : the lack of evidence and long-term statistical data on cultural industries (e.g. cultural industries and culture as an economic subject are relatively new phenomena in expert and academic communities); poor and underdeveloped measurement approaches for economic analysis that could be applied to the cultural industries domain; an unsystematic relationship between cultural industries and the economy; Historical background of measuring the economic contribution of cultural industries In Saint Lucia, until the early 2000s, the measurement of the economic contribution of cultural industries did not generate any special research interest. This was due to several factors: the lack of evidence and long-term statistical data on cultural industries (e.g. cultural industries and culture as an economic subject are relatively new phenomena in expert and academic communities); poor and underdeveloped measurement approaches for economic analysis that could be applied to the cultural industries domain; an unsystematic relationship between cultural industries and the economy; difficulties in measuring the economic effects of cultural industries; the traditional perception that an economic analysis of cultural industries does not correspond to their spirit or nature, as cultural industries and culture in general were seen as the expression of pure aesthetic and spiritual activity; and Investment potential analyses were scarce in the cultural sector, which was mostly due to the traditional view that considered the cultural domain as a public good and public financing of cultural activities as a matter for government consumption. Since 2001 this situation has changed, with more and more research and analyses being dedicated to the character of the relationship between cultural industries and the economy, and cultural industries and their economic impacts.

What and Why ? MoTHCI and CDF agents of change and development Creative Industries – Culture & Art are growth industries In Saint Lucia anecdotal evidence abounds – hard data is absent MoTHCI and CDF agents of change and development In 2011, the Ministry of Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries was established, spurring the interest in the economic contribution of culture and cultural industries and new approaches for understanding the relationship between culture and economic development. In particular, interest was focused on the quantification of the contribution of different cultural domains to development.

Indicators: the Story so far… Severe lack of data - Who is involved - - What are they doing - - Where are they doing it - - What is the $ Value - - What is the Employment contribution - - What Education level do they have - - What are their successes - - What are their challenges - - What do they need - This pilot project was never conceived to be able to deliver a final definitive database of resources in the communities. The process of cultural mapping of the communities has to necessarily be an ongoing one to allow for the future mapping of missed resources, and to cater for changes in the arts and cultural makeup of these communities.

The Story so far…. General Trends across communities Contextual The population of all the communities were largely a youthful population All the communities showed high rates of unemployment particularly among the youth. Arts and Culture in the Communities: General Communities blessed with much creativity and a wide variety of creative products particularly in the area of visual arts and craft Overwhelming concern over marginalisation and even replacement of authentic local products by cheap imports Vibrant folk arts and traditional cultural activities characterised the past; rapid decline and disappearance reality today widening generation gap and a lack of adequate venues for either training or performance

The Story so far… 7 communities >400 people mapped Gros Islet Monchy Anse la Raye Soufriere Laborie Vieux Fort North Mabouya Valley

Types of Data Collected - Needs   MAIN CHALLENGES NO. OF ARTIST % VALUE 1 Financial- Banks wont lend 32 6.79% 2 Financial- Getting Paid Takes too long 24 5.10% 3 Skill level- You need training 31 6.58% 4 Record Keeping- You need business help/Training 6 1.27% 5 Employees - Cant Find Persons Interested in A&C 0.85% You need space to work 48 10.19% 7 You need equipment/ Tools 21 4.46% 8 Sales too low 73 15.50% 9 Cant Access markets 37 7.86% 10 Sourcing Material is difficult 25 5.31% 11 Cost of material is high 16 3.40% 12 Cost of labour is high 0.00% 13 Cost overall is high 14 Packaging is unavailable/ too costly 15 You need a logo or brand design 0.42% Competition from imports is tough 0.64% 17 Perception of buyers 18 None 81 17.20% 19 Other TOTAL 471 100.00%

Types of Data Collected - demographics

Types of Data Collected – industry size

Analysis of data by region per query

Analysis of data by region per query

Pilot Cultural Map Launched

Data Input – Artists Registration

What Now? Reviewing the Pilot – Preparing for the long-term Island-wide launch Cultural Map Meeting the stakeholder’s needs Linking Cultural Map/Registry to benefits (government funding/tax waivers) Consult Stakeholders Continue Mapping Create outputs

Cultural Mapping http://mapitnodes.com/ WHO? WHAT? WHERE? HOW? HOW MUCH?