Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that Antigua and Barbuda has secured nearly EC $7 million in funding to begin renovations at Duke’s, which will be transformed into a national performing arts centre.
Speaking during his Browne and Browne radio programme on Pointe FM, Browne said the project received a significant private-sector donation alongside a government allocation.
“We just announced that we have gotten our first commitment of 1.2 million US — about 3.5 million EC — from Philip Mars, who’s making a contribution to help us to build out the performing arts center,” he said.
“The Cabinet itself has just committed another 3.5 million, so we have close to about $7 million to start the renovations at Duke’s.”
Browne said the initiative forms part of his government’s broader strategy to invest not only in economic growth but also in cultural and social development.
“We want to make sure that our people are exposed to the finer aspects of life,” he said. “It’s not just about our culture as we see traditionally.”
He argued that the arts should not be seen as static or locked in the past.
“I’m not one of the individuals who believe that culture is static. In fact, I think that culture evolves from time to time,” Browne said. “This idea that something that we did 100 years ago we must continue the same way — I don’t subscribe to that.”
The Prime Minister also encouraged the integration of new technologies such as artificial intelligence in creative industries, including music and performance.
“If we’re going to become a more creative people, then we have to engage the use of technologies — AI and so on — to ensure that all aspects of our creative development, that there’s some improvement,” he said.
Browne said the performing arts centre would support the country’s long-term vision of nurturing talent capable of competing internationally.
“We want Antiguans and Barbudans to be globally competitive. They must be able to compete with the best in the world,” he said.
Renovation works at Duke’s are expected to begin following the release of the initial tranche of funding.
