Mission Statement

To shape a national cultural identity through  the implementation of sustainable programs in arts and culture with specific focus on training, research, preservation and the creation of economic opportunities in cultural industries.

Functions

  • Perform the roles of protector, preserver and promoter of the customs, traditions and values of the Nevisian patrimony.
  • Research, document and archive the entire Nevisian cultural heritage phenomena.
  • Implement sustainable training programs in all areas of the performing arts in schools and communities on Nevis such as, Dance, African Drumming, Music, Drama and Steel pan.
  • Revive and preserve the Nevisian folk culture e.g. masquerades, clowns, cake walk, giant despair, string band, quadrille, big drum music, folk singing, storytelling and folk medicine.
  • Develop and implement programs to promote other cultural art forms such as the visual, literary, culinary and festival arts.
  • Organize and coordinate the celebration of significant annual events such as Black History Month, Emancipation Day, Independence Day and Christmas celebrations.
  • Promote closer relations with regional/international countries through cultural exchanges.

Vision

To fully integrate the Nevisian cultural entity into the overall national development plan.

Sustainable Priorities

  • To educate the entire populace in all aspects of Nevisian culture through awareness programs via the internet, radio, television, print media and street theatre etc.
  • To provide technical training to effect the efficient operation, maintenance and management of equipment and cultural spaces for the department and throughout the island.
  • To encourage the formation and sustenance of cultural groups in the area of dance, drama and music and other aspects of the arts.
  • To train a cadre of volunteers to assist with all aspects of research and documentation.
  • To establish a Documentation Centre for the use and benefit of residents, visitors and students at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
  • To regularly produce literary, audio, visual documentaries to promote the rich cultural heritage and potential of the island.
  • Use drama and other cultural art forms as a tool to foster positive social behaviour among youth.

 Values

  • At the department of Culture we are committed to:
  • Cultivating and maintaining excellent communication within the department, amongst the various government ministries/departments and the general public.
  • Carrying out our duties and responsibilities with dedication and efficiency.
  • Treating each other as well clients with respect and dignity at all times.
  • Providing the necessary support to all in order to accomplish the department’s mandate.
  • Using our creative abilities and initiative to fuel cultural development throughout the island.
  • Ensuring that officers exercise confidentiality and honesty in their daily business transactions.
  • Accepting change as an important aspect of development.

“Black Hearts Freedom Edition” tremendously successful, NCDF CEO says

Mr. Jerome Rawlins, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nevis Cultural Development Foundation (NCDF), is describing “Black Hearts Freedom Edition,” an event staged by the foundation at the Nevis Performing Arts Centre (NEPAC) on February 26, 2023 as a resounding success.

Culturama 45 on Nevis is 7th successive incident-free festival, says Chairman Liburd

Mr. Antonio “Abonaty” Liburd, Chairman for Culturama 45, Nevis’ foremost cultural festival, is labelling this year’s event as incident-free, making it the seventh successive year with no incidents.

Culture to return to Nevis’ Culturama festival following public’s emphatic appeal

A key ingredient absent from the major cultural festival on Nevis will make a comeback at the Culturama 45 celebrations slated for July 24 to August 06, 2019 with the theme “Love! Passion! Pride! Culturama 45!”

Plans for Nevis’ Culturama 45 progressing smoothly, Culturama Secretariat Executive Director says

Plans for staging the 45thedition of Nevis’ Culturama Festival are progressing smoothly but slowly with a noticeable increase in the number of participants in the senior competitions.

Min. of Culture and Nevis Culturama Committee to hold public consultations

The following is an announcement from the Culturama Secretariat in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) regarding public consultations.

Nevis Culturama 44 successful, says Culture Minister Evelyn

Culturama 44 on Nevis, the island’s leading cultural festival was a success and exceeded expectations. As the preliminary financial statement made public is indicating, the Wet Fete event raked in the most revenue for the season with a 95 percent increase over last year’s staging.

Nevis Culture Minister to host press conference

All media houses and members of the press corps are cordially invited to a press conference to be hosted by Hon. Eric Evelyn, Minister of Culture in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) on Thursday September 06, 2018.

Culturama 44 Reveal of Contestants and Participants

Live streaming of Culturama 44 Reveal of Contestants and Participants

Home Going Service of Mr. David Freeman

Live Broadcast of the Home Going Service of Mr. David Freeman

Freeman family grateful for NIA’s contribution to cultural icon’s home-going service

Mr. Colin Freeman, a son of Nevis’ cultural icon Mr. David Freeman, says the family is grateful to the Nevis Island Administration’s (NIA) contribution to the home-going service and celebration of their family member.

Nevis Culture Official wants public to join in celebration to honour cultural icon’s life

Mr. Abonaty Liburd, Executive Director of the Culturama Secretariat, wants the public to join in the celebration of the life of cultural icon Mr. David Freeman. The cultural presentation will be held at the Hardtimes Playing Field in Gingerland on June 09, 2018.

Nevis Culturama Committee to meet with vendors; troupe leaders

The following is an announcement from the Nevis Culturama Committee regarding meetings for vendors and troupe leaders for Culturama 2018

NIA to contribute to cultural icon’s home going service

The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) will contribute to the home-going service of cultural icon Mr. David Freeman, a prominent fife player in St. Kitts and Nevis, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at his home in Gingerland at the age of 90.

Culture Minister Evelyn lauds UNESCO ICH project for Nevis

Hon. Eric Evelyn, Minister of Culture in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) has thrown his support behind the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) project to be implemented in St. Kitts and Nevis.

NCDF to host Pan Elegance; first steel pan music night

The Nevis Cultural Development Foundation (NCDF) will stage its first Night of Steelpan dubbed “Pan Elegance” on March 16, 2018, at the Nevis Performing Arts Centre NEPAC). The event is the first of its kind and is tailored to engendering cultural appreciation on Nevis.

Former Minister of Culture Guishard hailed as visionary; honoured posthumously for achievements

Former Minister of Culture on Nevis the late Mr. Malcolm Guishard was honoured posthumously for the establishment of the Nevisian Heritage Village in Gingerland at a ceremony on February 22, 2018, to mark its 15th anniversary. A portrait of Mr. Guishard, which was erected at the entrance of the village, was unveiled by his widow Mrs. Yvonne Guishard.

Nevis Min. of Culture heralds in History and Heritage Month 2018

The following is an address by Hon. Eric Evelyn, Minister of Culture in the Nevis Island Administration to herald in the observance of History and Heritage Month 2018 during the month of February.

Nevis forms part of Federation’s delegation to CARIFESTA XIII in Barbados

NIA CHARLESTOWN (AUGUST 18, 2017) — A group of 11 persons from Nevis, led by Mr. Jerome Rawlins, Chief Executive Officer of the Nevis Cultural Development Foundation (NCDF), leave for Barbados on August 20, 2017, to participate in the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) XIII.   The group, will form part of a larger delegation […]

Regional Economist believes SKN’s rich cultural tradition has potential to generate new forms of employment

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (JUNE 01, 2017) — Dr. Keith Nurse, of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies in Barbados, believes that St. Kitts and Nevis has a rich cultural tradition which, if better tapped into, has the potential to generate cultural entrepreneurship, new forms of employment and build and strengthen the […]

Nevis Culture Minister Brantley welcomes new NCDF CEO

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (MAY 09, 2017) — Deputy Premier of Nevis and Minister of Culture Hon. Mark Brantley, welcomed Jerome Rawlins, the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nevis Cultural Development Foundation (NCDF) to the position and expressed…   Rawlins’ tenure with the Foundation began on May 02, 2017, following his appointment to the […]

NCDF gets new bus for continued promotion and preservation of Nevis culture

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (June 11, 2015) — Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nevis Cultural Development Foundation (NCDF) Keith Scarborough gave a commitment to Minister of Culture Hon. Mark Brantley, that his staff would care of a new Toyota bus in their continued promotion and preservation of Nevis’ culture.   Scarborough was at the time […]

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