Reach Out, one of six strategic pillars adopted by the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) during its recent strategic review, is set to come to life in the New Year, following a meeting between a CDF team, headed by Chairman, Petrus Compton and the Laborie Development Foundation, led by Chairman Augustine Dominique and Manager of the Laborie Credit Union Lucius Ellevic.
Held at Le Papel, a picturesque arts and craft market overlooking the serene Rudy John Beach Park, the November 19th meeting decided that the two sides would work towards creating and implementing a sustainable model for creative arts and culture development, for economic enhancement and community cohesion.
The Laborie community has a proud record of cultural activism, strong community institutions and a reliable partner for development in the Laborie Credit Union; all factors which led the CDF to choose the village to pilot this new approach to income generation and social togetherness through arts and culture.
The project will focus on training, development and performance in the areas of dance, drama, masquerade, pan and folk music, reviving and enhancing the pottery and ceramics initiative that was started through the US Peace Corps and cultivating talents in the literary arts, film and creative photography. Under this project Laborie will become a vibrant hub for creative activities and cultural expressions.
Lessons learned from the Laborie initiative will guide the CDF, as the organization intends to replicate the eventual success of Laborie in communities all over Saint Lucia in pursuit of its mission: ”to enhance nation building through nurturing and enhancing Culture and artistic expression”.
The work of shaping the community team that will work along with the CDF and completing the design for the training and development programmes will commence in earnest early next year with the aim to launch come May 2014.