Drumbeats, dance and music filled the air at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus on Wednesday, as the Faculty of Culture, Creative and Performing Arts took over the Guild Lawn for its Open and Taster Week – a showcase designed to introduce students, parents and educators to the full breadth of what the faculty has to offer.
Booths representing each discipline were set up across the lawn where prospective students could speak directly with faculty representatives and explore programmes ranging from dance and film to theatre, music and cultural studies.
A live stage brought the spirit of the event to life, featuring performances not only from the faculty’s students but also from visiting schools, including pupils from St Stephen’s Nursery and Eagle Hall Primary. Students from the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute’s garment technology programme added a fashion dimension to the afternoon, modelling original clothing they had crafted themselves.
Dean of the Faculty, Dr David Akombo, stressed the growing importance of the creative industry within the Caribbean context.
“The Prime Minister of Barbados has really emphasised the creative industry in the orange economy and that’s the only way we can tap into that orange economy – by developing young people who are interested in culture and the creative industry,” he said.
Akombo outlined the faculty’s expanding portfolio of degree options, which includes Bachelor of Fine Arts programmes in dance, film, music and creative arts, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Caribbean and cultural studies.
The faculty also offers a Master of Arts in creative arts, a Master of Arts in cultural studies and a PhD in cultural studies, notably with a practice-based pathway for professional creatives in fields such as dance, music, theatre and film.
He also highlighted an oftenoverlooked opportunity for students enrolled in other faculties across Cave Hill.
“Whether they’re in Social Sciences, Medicine, Law, or Arts they can minor in dance, film, theatre or cultural studies,” he noted, widening the faculty’s appeal well beyond its own student body.
Student Guild representative for the faculty, Asiah Shepherd, described the event as a first of its kind.
“We’re partnering with the Faculty of Social Sciences and it’s the first time we’ve ever done anything like this,” she said. “We’re showing students the possibilities and career pathways they could take after graduating,” she said.
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