Event

The UWI Open Campus, Montserrat, will host the First Symposium in the Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell Memorial Lecture Series, themed “Creative and Cultural Industries: Implications for Developing Economies,” on Thursday 11th November, 2010, at the Cultural Centre, Little Bay, Montserrat. 

Background

On Wednesday 15th September, 2010, Alphonsus Cassell, or Arrow, internationally recognized King of Soca, died at his home in Montserrat after a long battle with cerebral cancer. The numerous condolences and tributes, many from colleagues in the Open Campus, had a recurring theme. Arrow had earned a place among the Caribbean’s cultural icons and should be honoured with a distinguished public lecture series. 

Theme

A multi-disciplinary lecture series in Arrow’s name will provide a forum for discussing the creative and cultural industries including but not limited to the visual and performing arts, media, music and publishing. Arrow’s life and legacy exemplify the potential of creative industries and relationships that exist to contribute to wealth creation in the Caribbean. In 2009, a grant to the Open Campus Montserrat, under the Tourism Challenge Fund, made the first Alliouagana Festival of the Word, a literary festival for Montserrat, possible. This festival is intended to realize the potential of cultural tourism through collaboration of the creative sectors including literature, art and craft, music, publishing and the performing arts. It is, therefore, appropriate that the proposed lecture series in Arrow’s name should be part of the Alliouagana Festival of the Word which engages cultural and creative industries to improve the local economy. 

Aims

This first symposium within the Lecture Series will serve as a fitting tribute to the recently deceased Arrow and provide a forum for discussing research findings of inquiry and concern within the parameters of the theme. It is envisaged that the Lecture Series, which encourages presentations on issues of relevance to cultural and creative industries, will not only provide for wide participation but will heighten awareness of the potential value of these industries for the region. The papers will be made available to a wider audience by being posted on the Open Campus website. 

To find out more, please contact Miss Gracelyn Cassell, Head, UWI Open Campus Montserrat, at (664) 491-3924/2344, via fax at (664)491-8924, or via email at gracelyn.cassell@open.uwi.edu.