CASTRIES, Saint Lucia – October 22, 2025 – The Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) is proud to announce the official opening of the ArtScape Multi-Functional Performance Stage at the National Cultural Centre Grounds. This landmark facility, officially opened on Tuesday, 21st October 2025, represents a significant investment in Saint Lucia’s artistic infrastructure and creative future.
The ArtScape project was made possible through the generous support of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) via the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) 10th Programme. This success is a testament to the powerful collaboration between the CDF, the CDB/BNTF, and the implementing agency, the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF).
The inauguration ceremony began with a blessing of the facility by Monsignor Patrick Anthony, followed by the official ribbon-cutting performed by Chairman of the CDF Board, Darwin Guard, CDF Executive Director Raymona Henry-Wynne, and Brandon Antoine, Deputy Project Manager at the SSDF. The event was marked by a vibrant, performance-driven programme, which included dramatic presentations creatively introducing each speaker, underscoring the stage’s mission to become a central hub for theatrical, musical, and dance expressions.
Speaking at the event, Raymona Henry-Wynne of CDF highlighted the stage’s critical role. “ArtScape is not simply a stage. It is a strategic investment in Saint Lucia’s creative future — an economic platform, a training ground, and a space of expression and enterprise,” she stated. ” It is a tangible example of how we can integrate culture into our national development agenda — linking the arts with tourism, education, and local enterprise.”
The project’s successful execution was praised by Brandon Antoine of SSDF, who expressed his delight to officially hand the state-of-the-art structure over to the CDF and, by extension, the creatives of Saint Lucia, who now have another space to display their talents. Calvin Lee, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture, and Information, delivered remarks reaffirming the government’s commitment to the development of the creative economy.
The ArtScape Multi-Functional Performance Stage promises to be a year-round resource, providing the necessary technical and physical infrastructure to host diverse cultural events, workshops, and rehearsals, thereby fostering growth across all creative disciplines. Furthermore, it was indicated that due to the stage’s relatively close proximity to the harbour, there are plans to coordinate tours from the cruise ships during the day to the space so that artists can generate income from the visitors during the season.
About the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF):
The Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) is dedicated to aligning the aspirations of cultural and creative individuals, groups, communities, policymakers, and civil society towards a collective vision for growth. Guided by the National Cultural Policy of Saint Lucia, the CDF celebrates cultural heritage, nurtures artistic expression, and fosters innovation across all forms of creative endeavour.
About the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF)
The Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) is a grant-funded programme of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) that seeks to reduce poverty in CDB’s borrowing member countries through social and economic infrastructure and livelihoods enhancement interventions.
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