Cabinet approves Grants to Unsponsored Steelbands for Carnival 2023 and Remittances to Steelpan Players for Panorama 2023

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Cabinet has approved specific financial measures to assist the Steelband movement for Carnival 2023 and the Panorama competition for 2023. They are:

1. Payment of grants to unsponsored Steelbands for Carnival 2023; and

2. The payment of a $500.00 remittance to each steelpan player for Panorama 2023.

These measures are taken in recognition of the significant role Steelbands and the Steelband movement plays in the cultural and social fabric and development here in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as, the financial difficulties faced by individuals and organization in the Steelpan movement as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Payment of grants to unsponsored Steelbands for Carnival 2023

In recent years, the government has traditionally provided financial support to facilitate the participation of unsponsored Steelbands in national Carnival celebrations. The allocation of these funds are utilized for essential preparatory activities such as transportation, the blending, chroming, and repairing instruments.

For Carnival 2023, Cabinet has approved grants payable in the sum of $15,000.00 in support of Conventional Bands and $7,500 in support of Single Pan Bands. These grants will be made available to a total of 153 Steelbands: 94 Conventional bands and 59 Single Pan Bands — in the amount of $1,852,500.00.

Remittances to Steelpan Players for Panorama 2023

Panorama is a fundamental part of the national Carnival celebrations and is a significant ingredient into our Carnival product. In 1998, Government introduced a payment of a grant to Steelpan player (Remittance) that participate in the annual Panorama competitions. These Remittances served as much needed resources to the Steelpan player many of whom were from difficult socio-economic backgrounds.

Given the socio-economic climate, it would prove beneficial to communities to have their members, especially their youth, associated with disciplined and structured environment of the Steelband pan yards.

In this regard, Cabinet has approved a Remittance of $500.00 per Steelpan player for Panorama 2023. This measure would benefit and estimated maximum of 6,283 players to assist in funding out-of-pocket expenses as they travel to and from the pan yards.

The total sum for this measure is estimated at $3,141,500.00.

To qualify, Steelpan players must meet the following basic criteria:

- A citizen of Trinidad and Tobago

- A holder of a national identification card or other legitimate identification

- A registered player with an eligible Steelband

- Must perform with a band up to the preliminary round of Panorama.

These measures are aimed at taking advantage of the opportunities for human and social development, as well as engendering community pride and ownership that are available through greater participation in the Steelband movement and the structure and discipline it provides at its pan yards during the Carnival season and throughout the year.

From the news desk of Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts

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