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$90 million in COVID grants for entertainment, culture, creative industries

Some 1,000 individuals to each get $60,000 in relief initiative

Published:Saturday | December 18, 2021 | 3:06 PM
Grange: I think that the entertainment, culture and creative industries sector was probably greatly impacted more than any other sector and so it was necessary for us to see what we can do.

Culture and Entertainment Minister Olivia Grange has announced a $90 million special support package for members of the entertainment, culture and creative industries affected by the COVID pandemic.

For more than a year, there has been a ban on entertainment as  part of the COVID containment.

Last summer, it was relaxed but only for a few weeks.

The new $90 million package includes the $40 million that was allocated last year for individual grants.

Grange said, next year, the government will look at other categories that would be eligible for the grants.

“I think that the entertainment, culture and creative industries sector was probably greatly impacted more than any other sector and so it was necessary for us to see what we can do,” said Grange.

The Culture Ministry is now accepting applications for grants of $60,000 per individual.

Grange estimates that 1,000 individual grants will be awarded.

"Whatever your skills are; as long as you're a practitioner in the industry, you can benefit. If you're an actor, a singer, a songwriter; we're talking about the stagehands, engineers, selectors, sound system operators, owners of sound systems, people in film. So it's a variety. Once you meet the criteria, you will benefit," she said.

Main criteria for beneficiaries to receive grants:

1. Must be registered on the Ministry's e-Registry. Those who are not on the e-Registry can register within a few minutes on the Ministry's website (www.mcges.gov.jm) and click on 'ECCI COVID-19 Grant Application'.

2. Must be a member of an established industry organisation such as the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association or the Jamaica Film and Television Association.

3. Must either have an account with any Jamaican bank or an NCB Prepaid Mastercard to facilitate payment of the grant.

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