The Caribbean Culture Fund (CCF) has announced its second cohort of grantees, awarding twenty-five grants to creatives and cultural organizations in Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Curaçao and the Cayman Islands. These projects receive a total of USD 400,000 in funding. These grants, awarded in three categories – Migration, Archiving & Memory, and Caribbean Collaboration – support initiatives that preserve and enhance Caribbean heritage, analyze the cultural impact of migration, and encourage regional artistic cooperation. The Caribbean Cultural Fund thus confirms its commitment to culture diversity and regional creativity.
Subsidy categories
The selection process was carried out by a jury of experts from the eligible countries. Raymona Henry-Wynne, Executive Director of the Saint Lucia Cultural Development Foundation, participated in the evaluation of this second cohort. She describes the experience as “a revealing insight into the immense creative potential of the region”.
Migration
Five projects have been awarded grants of USD 10,000 each to explore the cultural impact of migration and strengthen links between territories. They include:
- Narratives of Change (Cayman Islands)
- Mama Baranka (Curaçao)
- Bigidi (Guadeloupe)
- Para Impresionar ¿A Quién? (Puerto Rico)
- Lakay (andépandans) (Saint Lucia)
Archiving & Memory
Ten projects have also been awarded grants of USD 10,000 each to document and conserve Caribbean heritage:
- Bon Kabei (Good Hair) (Curaçao)
- Cinuca (Guadeloupe)
- I Am Lolita Lebrón (Puerto Rico)
- Matronas de las Luchas (Puerto Rico)
- MAC en el Barrio Digital Archive (Puerto Rico)
- Mujeres del Cine Boricua (Puerto Rico)
- Paradoja en el Paraíso (Puerto Rico)
- Bolom Birth (Saint Lucia)
- Machete, Masquerade & Memory (Saint Lucia)
- O.N.G. (Operation Nex’ Generation) (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
Caribbean collaboration
Ten projects promoting artistic cooperation across the region received grants of USD 25,000 each:
- News from MAF (Guadeloupe/French Guiana)
- Pawòl a Mas (Guadeloupe/Saint Lucia/Trinidad and Tobago)
- Temporal: Sanando el Cuerpo y la Tierra (Puerto Rico/Barbados)
- Conjunto Antillano (Puerto Rico/Dominican Republic/Cuba)
- Bridging the Archipelago (Puerto Rico/Dominican Republic)
- La Memoria de la Arcilla (Puerto Rico/Cuba/Dominican Republic)
- It Takes a Village: Honoring Caribbean Matriarchs (Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands)
- Entre Cosmovisiones y Resistencia (Puerto Rico/Guadeloupe/Aruba)
- Hairouna Film Festival (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines/Haiti)
- Music, Film & Storytelling (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines/Trinidad and Tobago)
Impact of the Caribbean Culture Fund
According to CCF Executive Director Kellie Magnus, “the success of our first cohort has enabled us to raise additional funds, making our second cohort even more significant. We believe in regional cooperation and are enthusiastic about opening up new opportunities for creative people in the Caribbean”. The Caribbean Culture Fund thus becomes a key player in the structuring of the regional cultural sector.
Victoria Apolinario, a Dominican filmmaker and beneficiary of the first cohort, illustrates this impact: “Thanks to the CCF, I can now say that I am the coordinator of Muestra Karibe, a cinematographic space dedicated to the Caribbean and its diasporas. It’s more than a professional advancement, it’s also a way of taking a stand, a way of making our artistic identities more visible”.
Wizeman Seide, a Haitian culinary artist, confirms that the CCF is “much more than financial support: it’s a real springboard. It gives legitimacy to cultural initiatives and opens up new horizons”. This support from the Caribbean Culture Fund represents a major step forward for the development of cultural and creative industries.
Future prospects
The mission of the Caribbean Culture Fund is to support creators in the Caribbean by reducing financial barriers and encouraging artistic development. Funding for this second cohort was provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Open Society Foundations. To build on this momentum, the Caribbean Culture Fund is preparing to launch new initiatives, including a matching grants program to attract other cultural funders.
In addition, an online database of funding opportunities will be made available to artists for simplified access to resources.
The Caribbean Culture Fund plays a major role in promoting and developing regional artistic creation. By supporting local initiatives and fostering collaborations, the Caribbean Culture Fund contributes to enriching Caribbean cultural expression, while offering it new prospects for expansion.
Fallen Fetters is much more than just a song; it’s a poignant tribute to life, to those who have left us, and to those who continue to celebrate every moment. The world of Caribbean music, rich in color and emotion, finds here a new expression thanks to the collaboration between Skinny Fabulous and Machel Montano. In this article, we’ll explore the main themes of this work, its impact on Caribbean culture, and the deep meaning it carries for the artists and their fans.
The power of collaboration
The collaboration between Skinny Fabulous and Machel Montano is a wise choice. These artists each have their own style and history, but they share a common passion: celebrating life through music. St. Vincent native Skinny Fabulous said it was important to work together on this project, especially after the success of their previous collaboration, Famalay.
“We created a powerful message together,” he said. “Music is a way to convey emotions and memories.”
Their collaborative approach is a testament to the importance of unity in the Caribbean music community. Machel Montano, often considered a legend in the soca genre, perfectly complements the Skinny Fabulous style, creating an atmosphere that invites reflection and celebration.
Fallen fetters: an emotional message
The song Fallen Fetters is a deeply meaningful work. It pays tribute to those who are no longer with us, while encouraging those who remain to celebrate life. The music video, directed by Junior Lee, captures this duality in a striking way.
A balance between nostalgia and celebration
In the video, we see images of people who have had an impact on the artists’ lives, as well as party scenes that represent the joy of living. Skinny Fabulous emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between memory and celebration:
“We really wanted to honor those who have left while encouraging those who are still here to enjoy every moment,” he explained.
It’s essential to show love to those who are present, and this song is a call to action to not wait for people to leave before showing them our affection.
The impact of music on Caribbean culture
Music as a memory tool
Music has always played a vital role in Caribbean culture. It is often used to tell stories, celebrate events and honor ancestors. Fallen Fetters fits perfectly into this tradition, using the power of music to remember those who have left us.
Carnival season: a time for celebration
As the Carnival 2025 season approaches, Skinny Fabulous and Machel Montano remind everyone of the importance of celebration. Carnival is a time when people come together to dance, sing and celebrate life. Fallen Fetters thus becomes a soundtrack for these celebrations, encouraging us to honor the past while living fully in the present.
The importance of paying tribute
Give them their flowers
Too often, we don’t appreciate those around us until it’s too late. Skinny Fabulous highlights this painful reality:
“We tend to wait until someone leaves to realize how much we love them. It’s not fair.”
Fallen Fetters is an invitation to give flowers to the living, to express our gratitude and love while we still have the chance.
A Universal Message
The message of Fallen Fetters is universal. No matter where we come from, each of us has lost loved ones and has reason to celebrate those who are still with us. This song unites people through emotions, and its success on digital platforms is testament to its resonance.
Fallen Fetters is a hymn to life, love and celebration. Skinny Fabulous and Machel Montano remind us that, despite the sadness of loss, it’s essential to celebrate every day. As we prepare for the Carnival season, let this song guide us in our festivities, honoring those who have left us while celebrating those who are still with us.
