Audience members and multidisciplinary practitioners at the orange economy forum issued an urgent call for legislative reform and strict commercial accountability, warning that talent flight and financial abuse will persist without binding legal protections.
Sean Roach, a multidisciplinary artist, police officer, and founder of Aguicci Company Limited, cautioned that talk of creative progress rings hollow without statutory enforcement. Drawing on decades of history, Roach pointed out that highly skilled Vincentian creatives have historically fled government ministries and emigrated abroad after facing mistreatment and professional disregard.
Roach urged policymakers to move beyond rhetoric by legislating specific statutory quotas, such as mandating that up to 10 percent of public building budgets be allocated toward purchasing original local artwork and sculptures. He also demanded clear oversight and feedback mechanisms to hold state officials accountable when creative development programs fail.
Echoing these concerns, media practitioner Christal Oliver addressed the pervasive practice of withholding payments from creative service providers. Oliver challenged the standard double standard at public and corporate events, where production crews, technical personnel, and performers must chase event promoters for weeks to receive basic compensation while all other commercial vendors are settled promptly.
“Why do I have to call you every week to get my money when everybody else has been paid?” Oliver asked, pointing out that young artists operating under economic distress frequently fear blacklisting if they demand written contracts or timely payment.
Panelists acknowledged the systemic grievance. Gary “Icon” John urged emerging artists to adopt strict commercial standards, advising that industry-standard contracts requiring a 50 percent non-refundable deposit prior to advertising and the remaining balance before stepping on stage must become non-negotiable.
Closing the forum, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary acknowledged the deep frustration in the room, conceding that while systemic bottlenecks will not dissolve overnight, the government is committed to ongoing consultations to construct an actionable policy framework for St. Vincent’s creative economy.
