GUYANA’S CREATIVE ARTS SECTOR ADVANCES AS INSTITUTE AWARDS ASSOCIATE DEGREES TO 10TH GRADUATING COHORT

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA | OCTOBER 16, 2026

Guyana’s creative arts sector has reached another milestone as the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA) celebrated its 10th graduating cohort, with students earning associate degrees in various artistic disciplines.

The graduation ceremony, held Thursday evening at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown, brought together graduates from the National School of Dance, E.R. Burrowes School of Art, National School of Music and National School of Theatre Arts and Drama.

Addressing the graduates, Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, emphasized the importance of creating employment and professional development opportunities for trained artists beyond their academic qualifications.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), Jacobs said the government is working to strengthen Guyana’s creative economy, also known as the orange economy, through increased investment, cultural programmes and opportunities for local artists to showcase their work.

“It’s not just only the government facilitating courses, facilitating the growth of a diploma or certificate. It’s making sure after that the opportunity is there for you to showcase your talents,” Jacobs stated.

The minister highlighted initiatives such as Live Art on Main Street and the upcoming CARIFESTA 2027, which Guyana is preparing to host, as platforms intended to provide greater exposure for local creatives.

He also disclosed that consultations are underway with stakeholders to help shape the development of the country’s orange economy and identify opportunities for sustainable growth within the creative industries.

Among the graduates was Latifa Agard, who earned an Associate of Arts degree in Theatre Arts and Drama with distinction. Agard described the achievement as a significant step in her artistic development and called for greater recognition of the creative arts as a profession deserving of investment and national support.

“What began as a diploma pathway developed into an opportunity to achieve something historic, becoming the first to earn an associate degree in theatre arts and drama with distinction right here in Guyana,” Agard said.

Fellow graduate Joanna Edwards, representing the first group of students from the E.R. Burrowes School of Art, reflected on the challenges of balancing motherhood, full-time employment as a secondary school teacher and her academic responsibilities.

Edwards credited her family and instructors for supporting her throughout the programme and encouraged fellow graduates to continue producing meaningful artistic work.

The graduation highlights the expansion of formal training opportunities in Guyana’s creative industries as the government seeks to strengthen the sector’s contribution to cultural development, employment and economic diversification.