The National Cultural Foundation is making provision for wider public say in this year’s National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA), with the introduction of a People’s Choice Award.
“It was felt that we should provide for greater public participation and greater interaction,” Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley said yesterday, as he announced innovations and plans for this year’s festival at a Press conference at his Haggatt Hall, St Michael office.
Participants in the festival compete in seven disciplines and this year, for the first time, the public will be allowed to vote for their favourite entry in each.
Prize vouchers will be awarded to those finalists who gain the public’s attention and votes. Voting slips will be made available at finals venues.
The Governor General’s Award of $7 500 in each of the seven disciplines remains at the top of the prize list, with several others traditionally offered remaining. (GC)