Let’s ACT programme closes after supporting nine cultural projects

More than 60 guests attended the Let’s ACT Final Showcase at Belair Community Center in Cay Hill on Thursday 15 October, marking the close of a two-year programme that supported nine local cultural, artistic and heritage projects, according to the St. Maarten Development Fund and Foresee Foundation (4C).

SMDF and 4C organised Let’s ACT with CEDE Aruba, with funding from the Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie in the Netherlands. Participating organisations presented work completed through the programme, including projects in theatre, heritage, natural-hair care, ceramics, oral history and recycling.

The National Institute of Arts said its Total Theater project trained 95 performers aged 6 to 80, while nine teenage participants became junior teachers. Art Agency Foundation said 38 people attended its Hair Stories by True Roots workshops. The St. Maarten National Heritage Foundation & Museum said its Tours of Culture trolley rides reached more than 100 people.

Milton Peters College said its ceramics and pottery workshops with NIA had 117 participants. Let’s Talk Foundation said 200 people attended its first Let’s ACT event, “Where Creativity Meets Economy.” Foresee Foundation co-director Jose Sommers said the programme’s participating organisations had strengthened their planning, financial management, storytelling and connections. Organisers said some remaining project components will be completed in the coming months.