THE silly season is upon us in full force. Of course, I’m not talking about Christmas; rather the impending general election.

Both parties have become quite adept at saying the right things and using the current catchphrases in relation to the vast potential of the cultural and entertainment sectors in increasing the contribution to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, truth be told, the kind of resources that are required to mobilise the disparate parts of the sector into a thriving industry have not been forthcoming either from the People’s National Party (PNP) administration of the past, or the present Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration.

For instance, Jamaica Jazz and Blues is no doubt the best annual event staged in Jamaica in terms of its production quality, organisation and international promotion. But, in large parts, the music presented at this festival, as the name implies, are non-Jamaican music forms and the headliners are foreigners. Let me make it clear, I totally endorse the financial support that this important festival on our cultural agenda obtains from our ministry of tourism each year. If reports are true, this year they expect to get something in the region of $60m in sponsorship from the Tourist Board.

On the other hand, while the contribution they give to the national celebration of Reggae Month is critical to the execution of this proclaimed salute to our indigenous music, the actual figure is a paltry $2 million, three per cent of what is given to Jazzfest.

I know what the immediate response will be. I’ll be told that Jazzfest contributes more by way of income to the GDP through visitors. But are we sincere in our proclamation of February as Reggae Month? If we and our government are not prepared to nurture the development and popularity of Reggae Month and market it internationally, then we should never have gone through the ceremony of a national proclamation until the private and public sectors were prepared to put adequate financial support behind this laudable initiative. Having done so, however, we do ourselves a disservice by allowing it to be tinkering along, relegated to the dregs, the ‘what lef’ after other private ventures such as that mentioned above have been taken care of. The reggae music industry must demand our share of the pie. No more must we accept pittance while the ministry of tourism sounds off all the appropriate platitudes in national speeches. The ministry of tourism must match with appropriate funds, the elegant and politically correct words that the minister has been making.

In a meeting months ago, Minister Bartlett gave verbal commitment that funding for Reggae Month for our 50th independence anniversary would be substantially increased. Yet, now it seems we will not get even as much as last year from the Tourist Board for the programme planned for February 2012. Our appeals to the private sector for support have not fared much better.

Let’s use the upcoming national elections to make our voices heard and to get firm commitments of support for the cultural industries by whichever political party will form the next government.

The creative industries are desperately in need of a national venture capital fund, to drive innovation, as my good friend and colleague Clyde McKenzie has long mooted. This fund would provide financing for events, projects, products and ventures for which there is no tangible collateral. It is the type of fund and investment in intellectual property that launched such great companies as Google, Microsoft and Apple.

In the performing arts sector, our people are at a disadvantage because their training starts late in the game. We need a high school for those who display the aptitude for the arts.

We need to be doing more to preserve the achievements of outstanding practitioners. With our rich musical heritage, we should have an appropriate museum, not some musty old room. Therefore, the Reggae Museum needs substantial funding so that it becomes a hip place with holograms and other forms of modern technology.

Most importantly, for the creative industries to increase their contribution to GDP, the amount of royalty fees collected is critical. Additional mechanisms are needed so that entities engaged in making copyright music available to the public be required to comply with the 1993 Copyright Act. This will encourage our creators that the industry can work to their benefit. Government needs to facilitate an ongoing public information campaign about JACAP licence and permit. This is extremely important for the longevity of the music industry in Jamaica.

che.campbell@gmail.com