THE NATIONAL CULTURAL FOUNDATION
The Central Bank of Barbados
Crop Over Visual Arts Exhibition
DURING THE SEASON OF EMANCIPATION 2025
‘Inner Visions’
The Central Bank of Barbados Crop Over Visual Arts Exhibition during the Season of Emancipation 2025 always coincides with several important National events but this year the series also coincides with CARIFESTA XV, the premier regional event in cultural diplomacy where each participating nation showcases the best of their country through the Arts. It will be held in Barbados from August 22nd – 31st. Countries from CARICOM and the wider African Diaspora will be participating.
Our 2025 Season of Emancipation shows precedes CARIFESTA and although this series is not a qualifying platform, we seek to integrate this energy into the season. We are therefore calling on Barbadian Artists at home and throughout diaspora to reflect, question and assess contemporary Barbados, through a visual lens using concepts of freedom as the yardstick.
An analysis of freedom is complex, however broadly defined, it is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without external constraint or restraint. It’s a fundamental concept often associated with liberty, autonomy, and self-determination. Myles Munroe, builds on this basic definition and adds a layer where individual freedom is expressed as ‘a chance to fulfil desires and dreams’.
What enables freedom in a culturally and legally regulated society?
The 1937 Workers’ revolt ushered in a change in representation within the political systems. The masses felt their freedom was being oppressed and their dreams out of reach. The political grandfathers of decolonization worked towards liberating Barbados and the Caribbean from colonial oppression and sought to put in place systems and structures for its people to achieve freedom. We see a wave of independence movements in the 60s throughout the Caribbean, with Barbados becoming independent on November 30th 1966. In 2021 we became a Republic. In 2025, just one year short of 60 years of Independence we are asking, are we really better able to fulfil our desires and dreams?
Do our social, political and economic structures enable freedom? Has our cultural evolution been toward true emancipation? What is done to support and foster acceptance of changing values? What is our commentary on individual and community mental and physical health? Does our environmental stewardship, laws, spiritual practices and social awareness foster self actualisation?
We seek to showcase artwork that is a deep analysis of who we are, how we look and feel as people, as an environment, as spirits, as souls, within the concepts of freedom.
Inner Visions – Diasporic Connections
At the
Queen’s Park Gallery
Saturday June 28th – Saturday August 9th 2025
KEY DATES:
GENERAL:
The Artist is presenting their own original works for The Exhibition.
All pieces within the exhibitions shall remain the sole property of the Artist until sold and the Artist’s share is remitted by the National Cultural Foundation in full. In the event of the Artist’s death, this agreement becomes null and void and all works revert to the Artist’s survivors on demand.
The Artist and the National Cultural Foundation agree on a commission of Thirty percent (30%) on all sales generated by the Exhibition’s promotional effort. All payments will be made through the Accounts Department of the National Cultural Foundation.
The following responsibilities shall be borne by the NCF:
- All basic display materials and furnishings.
- Security and insurance to the stated artist price.
- All labels and price lists
- Publicity for the exhibition, where possible, via the newspapers, radio, television and social media.
- The hosting of an Opening Reception.
- Facilitation of catering for the Opening Reception.
- Production and dissemination of invitations.
- Exhibition assistants to facilitate the hanging and dismantling of exhibitions.
- An Attendant for the hosting of visitors and the transaction of sales. (NB: The Exhibition Attendants must check off each listed piece with the artist on presentation of work to the Exhibition site.)
- 10.A Curator to coordinate and supervise all activities pertaining to the exhibition.
The following responsibilities are to be borne by the Artist/Artists:
- Provision of a list of exhibits with titles, media, size and sale price for insurance and promotional purposes.
- Provision of background information on the exhibits for promotional purposes in day to day marketing as well as for the press and possible wall texts.
- Work must be presented to the Gallery in a professional manner, ready for hanging or display.
- Work for exhibit must be delivered to the Queen’s Park Gallery by the stipulated time. The NCF will not be held responsible for failure to deliver the work on time or any lapses in presentation of the work which create a delay.
- Each piece must be clearly identified on presentation to the Queen’s Park Gallery. The Exhibition Attendants must check off each listed piece with the artist on presentation of work to the Exhibition site.
- Artists must collect unsold exhibits on the dates stated from the Queen’s Park Gallery or make arrangements to have it collected from the NCF within 3 working days.
Financial Matters
The reproduction and copyright of any artwork remains exclusively with the Artist/ Artists or the Artist’s estate.
At the termination of this agreement, all work not paid for in full shall be returned to the Artist as agreed. If the Artist has agreed for a Client to purchase a work on exhibit in installments, where payment would be completed after the closure of the exhibition, the commission due to the NCF must be remitted to the NCF and all further transactions will be the responsibility of the Artist. The Client will be made aware of this arrangement prior to any deposits being made.
All work must remain on display at the Exhibition site for the duration of the exhibition unless authorized at the discretion of the Curator.
Each Artist is allowed to submit a maximum of three pieces for consideration by the selection committee.
