Minister of Culture, Arts & Heritage, Hon. Leslia Miller-Brice, has launched the first in a series of national cultural listening sessions aimed at engaging practitioners, educators, artists and stakeholders in shaping the future direction of cultural development in The Bahamas.
The inaugural session was held on June 2, 2026, at the University of The Bahamas’ Franklyn Wilson Graduate Centre and brought together representatives from theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature, education, heritage preservation and other cultural disciplines.
The sessions form part of the ministry’s commitment to meaningful consultation before advancing policies, programmes and initiatives intended to strengthen and elevate Bahamian culture as a national priority.
“This ministry was created because the Government of The Bahamas recognizes the importance of culture to our national identity, economic development and future growth,” said Minister Miller-Brice. “Before we make decisions, establish priorities or chart a path forward, it is important that we listen to the people who live, breathe and sustain our culture every day.”
During the session, participants shared their experiences, successes, challenges and aspirations for their respective sectors, with discussions focusing on funding, infrastructure, training opportunities, preservation efforts, youth engagement and greater recognition for cultural practitioners.
Minister Miller-Brice underscored that the feedback received will play an important role in shaping the ministry’s future work and policy direction.
“I am not prepared to move forward with major policy recommendations until we have completed this series of consultations and heard from all sectors of the cultural community,” she said. “Once these discussions are complete, a comprehensive report will be prepared and reviewed before recommendations are presented to the Prime Minister and Cabinet.”
The minister noted that the establishment of the Ministry of Culture, Arts & Heritage itself reflects the Government’s commitment to strengthening culture and ensuring that the voices of the cultural community help guide national decisions in this area.
The listening sessions will continue in the coming weeks, providing additional opportunities for cultural stakeholders throughout The Bahamas to contribute their perspectives and recommendations as the ministry develops its agenda for the sector.
The Ministry of Culture, Arts & Heritage said the consultations are intended to foster collaboration, identify opportunities for growth and ensure that future initiatives reflect the needs and aspirations of the country’s diverse cultural sectors.
