IDB batting for animation industry
Published:Thursday | October 27, 2016 | 12:00 AMOkoye Henry
WESTERN BUREAU:
Therese Turner-Jones, general manager of the Inter-America Development Bank's (IDB) Country Department Caribbean Group, has said Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean should get ready to seize the opportunities of wealth generation and economic growth that should come from the animation industry, which is now emerging in the region.
Speaking at the recent official opening of the 'Caribbean in Motion' animation exhibit, which is now on display at the National Gallery West in Montego Bay, Turner-Jones explained that the creative industries, which encompasses a blend of arts, culture, business and technology, accounted for $6.45 trillion of global gross domestic product (GDP) in 2014.
ORANGE ECONOMY
"These industries, which include film, animation, graphic design, television, art museums, and much more, are becoming increasingly recognised for driving economic growth and innovative thinking in society," said Turner-Jones.
"The Inter-American Development Bank has been working to support the 'Orange Economy', as we call it, in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2014. The IDB has also worked to update the industry's regulatory framework, increase technical training and upgrade existing technology," added Turner-Jones.
In the case of Jamaica, Turner-Jones said the IDB is excited about the partnership with the National Gallery of Jamaica to exhibit the work currently on display at National Gallery West, which features the work of young, talented animators from across the Caribbean.
"Such an endeavour gives voice to and channels the passion of our people while offering a new path to grow and integrate with the wider world. We (the IDB) look forward to creating more partnership to seize the growth potential other orange economy for the region," noted Turner-Jones.
'Caribbean in Motion' will be on view at the National Gallery West from October 2 to November 20. It features 10 animation works by artists from Jamaica,The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago.
"There is a lot to be enjoyed in this exhibition and there is something for everybody, from people who have a taste for fine arts to those who just love animation," said Dr Veerle Poupeye, executive director of National Gallery Jamaica.