JAVAA already in event planning mode
As ban on events lifted, millions allocated to reopening of entertainment sector
Published:Friday | March 18, 2022 | 12:11 AMSade Gardner/Staff Reporter
The Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates (JAVAA) wasted no time getting into event-planning mode immediately following Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ announcement that the ban on the entertainment sector is being lifted today.
“JAVAA is happy for it,” the entity’s chairman Frankie Campbell told The Gleaner. “We’re actually in our weekly meeting right now, seeing how we can move forward in planning an event at our headquarters between now and the early summer.”
During the budget debate in Parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness added that event permits will now include a condition that stipulates a capacity of below 70 per cent until April 15.
“Obviously, after two years, anything is better than nothing,” Campbell said. “If you have a venue that can hold 5,000 people, 70 per cent of 5,000 people is pretty decent. The hotel ballrooms that can hold 500, I suppose 70 per cent isn’t bad. We’re grateful and happy for it.”
While the measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act have also been lifted, Campbell said staging events now will require other considerations.
“I suppose entertainment, generally, will cost more now for the patrons, ‘cause everything is more expensive now. Inflation for the last six months has been ridiculous, but, as I said, we’re happy for the reopening.”
Holness declared that the Government is supporting the reopening of the sector with “not just talk, but with cash, access to credit, facilitation and training”. To this end, a special grant was also announced, the eligibility criteria for which will be later shared.
“I have directed the CHASE Fund to create a special $150-million window of support for the entertainment sector,” he said. “This will be used to help musicians, entertainers, theatre production companies and promoters of festivals and events.”
He added that not all parties in the sector are seeking grants, but institutional access to credit will pave the way for a loan programme that will be launched in April.
“The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) will establish a special entertainment restart loan facility, totalling $500 million,” he said. “Under this facility, $250 million will be reserved for micro-enterprises, including vendors supporting the entertainment industry. Microenterprises will be able to access loans of up to $750,000 from the DBJ-accredited microfinance institutions, for working capital, equipment and refinancing. An additional $250,000 will be reserved for small and medium-size enterprises who will be able to access loans of up to $5 million through participating DBJ microfinance and approved financial institutions.”
Accompanying these initiatives is a 50 per cent reduction in permit fees by municipal corporations for the first six months of the sector’s reopening. He said while government-owned venues will not be discounted, “I have, however, directed that all government entities that rent venues examine the possibility of cutting their rental rates or making the venues rent-free for defined events.”
Beyond the immediate needs of the sector, Holness also announced that $50 million has been allocated to the Tourism Enhancement Fund to develop the Montego Bay-based Tourism Entertainment Academy to address the issue of imported talent in local hotels.
“We will also be establishing a National Modern Music Grant to ensure that Jamaica continues its proud legacy of influencing global trends in music, arts and culture,” he said. “The grant will be awarded annually to four Jamaicans: one classical, one reggae, and two from the dancehall space, from the music and entertainment sectors, to pursue their professional advancements.”