Author: Minister, the Hon. Lisa Hanna, Ministry of Youth & Culture
Title: Contribution to the 2014/2015 Sectoral Debate
Date published: May 20, 2014
Source: Jamaica Information Service (JIS):
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/media/hanna-sectoral1.pdf
In her contribution to the 2014/2015 Sectoral Debate, the Minister, the Hon. Lisa Hanna, Ministry of Youth & Culture, makes several announcements regarding museums in Jamaica including:
Excerpt:
Title: Contribution to the 2014/2015 Sectoral Debate
Date published: May 20, 2014
Source: Jamaica Information Service (JIS):
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/media/hanna-sectoral1.pdf
Abstract:
In her contribution to the 2014/2015 Sectoral Debate, the Minister, the Hon. Lisa Hanna, Ministry of Youth & Culture, makes several announcements regarding museums in Jamaica including:
- the opening of three new museums for the Jamaican people - namely, the Seville, Roxborough and the People's Museum.
- the plans afoot to open two additional museums including the National Museum of Jamaican (in Kingston) and that National Museum West (in Montego Bay).
- the reopening of the technologically enhanced Natural History Museum
Excerpt:
For many years, in fact, since the days of our Independence,
there have been calls to develop a National Museum of Jamaica which would be a
museum for the people; a place where all Jamaicans, from all walks of life,
could see, read and feel the amazing story that is our history. To witness the
national narrative that is dramatic, extraordinary and often painful, but it is
a story that all informed citizens need to be able to understand, and
importantly, be able to respond to. There have been many dreams and many plans
over the years for a museum but nothing has happened. Finally, we have moved to
develop a National Museum of Jamaica. This museum, will be the centrepiece that
spawns a network of community museums located across the island, that will
implement the plans. I have overseen the establishment of the National Museum
Foundation which will be raising the funds to support a National Museum in
Kingston. The Council of the IOJ has designated upstairs of the 16 East Street
Building as the space for this important space. I have already engaged key
stakeholders, including past esteemed Prime Ministers, the Most Honourable PJ
Patterson and the Most Honourable Edward Seaga who have agreed to be Patrons of
our Foundation.
Concurrently, we are moving to develop the National Museum
West in Montego Bay. This museum will be located in the Montego Bay Civic
Centre and will explore the national narrative but with a special focus on Western
Jamaica. This new centre will also incorporate elements of the National Gallery
as well. It is my particular desire that National Museum West maintain a
community focus with the histories and memories of our people. I am reliably
informed that the National Museum Jamaica is already seeking out objects and
narratives that will tell the story of our people and so I encourage members,
particularly those with a Western leaning, to get involved. The Mayor of
Montego Bay and his team are fully on board. Both of these projects will
commence in this financial year.
I must also mention that we will be reopening our new, and
modern Natural History Museum which has been closed for several years. Visitors
will see a modern gallery with high tech displays as well the preservation of
diverse ecosystems, plants and animals found in only in Jamaica.Funding support
has been received from CHASE and TEF. We expect this to be completed before the
end of this fiscal year.
