Jamaican News

Minister Grange Salutes IOJ and JNHT on International Museum Day

JLP'S Babsy Grange

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Wednesday, May 18, 2016 – As Jamaica joins the rest of the world in observing International Museum Day today May 18, under the theme, ‘Museums and Cultural landscapes,’ Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Honourable Olivia Grange, has paid tribute to public and private sector institutions and individuals who understand the value of museums and have sought to promote museums within the wider national community.

In a statement to mark the observance of the day, Minister Grange said, “Allow me to acknowledge the lead role played by the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), an agency of this Ministry, in the development and promotion of museums across Jamaica. The IOJ has oversight for the National Museum Jamaica (NMJ) which manages the National Museum West, and the People’s Museum of Craft and Technology. The IOJ also operates the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery of Jamaica and the Jamaica Music Museum.”

The Jamaica National Heritage Trust was also lauded by the Minister for seeking to create exhibitions specific to and relevant to eras and persons on a smaller scale.

The Culture Minister expressed that her Ministry, through the JNHT has promised to create more exhibition spaces and museums, adding, “We are looking keenly at Port Royal to put in place a state of the art museum. The JNHT already recognises the entire Port Royal as a living museum”.

Additionally, the Government of Jamaica is working assiduously to develop a National Sport Museum that will feature the evolution of sport in Jamaica, the interconnectedness with the nation’s culture, heritage and future development.

“The National Sport Museum will serve as a knowledge bank and will preserve and showcase the distinctly rich material heritage of Jamaica, the athletes and teams through a collection of artefacts, memorabilia, multimedia, works of art, interactive exhibits, lecture series and community outreach programmes,” Minister Grange said.

Commentary

Museums help to preserve our heritage and we applaud any such celebration. Hon Marcus Garvey reminded us that people must be conscious of their heritage.

We salute historians, writers, poets and musicians … all of whom contribute to our rich heritage and history.

We salute this day of celebration and add our little bit in its perpetuity.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.

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