January 29, 2025
On page 22 of their 2021 Blueprint for Change, the PLP made a string of promises to meaningfully invest in the Orange Economy. Among them was a promise to “renovate and resource the National Centre for Performing Arts.” Over three years into the PLP administration, it remains dilapidated and decaying on Shirley Street.
The government cannot allow the Dundas Center for the Performing Arts to suffer the same fate.
A cornerstone of Bahamian culture and creativity, it faces imminent closure if significant funding is not secured.
For many years, the Dundas Center has been a vital hub for nurturing Bahamian talent and showcasing the islands’ vibrant cultural heritage. Its closure would be a devastating loss for artists, audiences, and the Bahamian community.
In the face of this crisis, we call upon the government to honour its commitments to the creative sector by taking immediate action to save the Dundas Center. We urge the government to:
– Provide emergency funding to ensure the continued operation of the facility.
– Develop a long-term plan for its sustainable financial support and other vital arts institutions.
– Engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders in the arts community to ensure that the sector’s needs are being met.
The closure of the Dundas Center would be a betrayal of the government’s promises and a devastating blow to the cultural landscape of The Bahamas.
We urge the government to act now to save this vital institution.
Hon. Iram Lewis M.P.
Shadow Minister of Youth Sports and Culture