Cultural Information Management Cultural Information Management Systems WorkshopSystems Workshop

Port of Spain, Trinidad & TobagoPort of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

Ms. Sherilyne JonesResearch Education Officer- Institute of Archaeology

National Institute of Culture and HistoryMinistry of National Development, Investment and

Culture

Comprises of Four Branches: Institute of Archaeology

Institute of Social and Cultural Research

Museum of Belize & Houses of Culture

Institute of Creative Arts

Museum of Belize & Houses of CultureMuseum of Belize & Houses of Culture

The National Institute of Culture and History The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) was created by the Government of (NICH) was created by the Government of

Belize in 2003.Belize in 2003.

The goal was to bring together diverse The goal was to bring together diverse government departments, which had government departments, which had

historically worked to preserve and promote historically worked to preserve and promote Belizean culture. Belizean culture.

NICH is committed to the preservation of NICH is committed to the preservation of Belize's ancient and historical era Belize's ancient and historical era

monuments and artifacts;monuments and artifacts; the interpretation of Belize's documented, the interpretation of Belize's documented,

photographic and oral history; and the photographic and oral history; and the promotion of contemporary visual, literary promotion of contemporary visual, literary

and performing arts. and performing arts.

Institute of Archaeology (IA)Institute of Archaeology (IA)

The Institute of The Institute of Archaeology is responsible Archaeology is responsible for the administration and for the administration and management of management of archaeology countrywide. archaeology countrywide.

The IA is also responsible The IA is also responsible for the National Collection, for the National Collection, which is a repository for all which is a repository for all antiquities found in the antiquities found in the country of Belize. country of Belize.

Institute of Social and Cultural Research

The Institute of Social The Institute of Social and Cultural Research and Cultural Research provides a center for provides a center for research, with a research, with a library and conference library and conference facilities for scholars facilities for scholars and students of and students of Belizean History, Belizean History, Culture and Sociology.Culture and Sociology.

Museum of Belize & Houses of Culture

The Museums of Belize The Museums of Belize and Houses of Culture and Houses of Culture include the Museum of include the Museum of Belize in Belize City Belize in Belize City

There are currently 3 There are currently 3 Houses of Culture in Houses of Culture in Belize that promote Belize that promote community community participation in the arts participation in the arts as well as provide a as well as provide a venue for local concerts venue for local concerts and exhibitionsand exhibitions

Institute of Creative Arts (ICA)

The Institute of Creative The Institute of Creative Arts is responsible for Arts is responsible for the promotion of the the promotion of the performing, plastic and performing, plastic and visual arts.visual arts.

ICA host performances, ICA host performances, festivals of art and have festivals of art and have excellent links with excellent links with education in order to education in order to encourage and encourage and showcase music, dance, showcase music, dance, drama, creative writing drama, creative writing and the visual arts.and the visual arts.

How is Cultural Information disseminated How is Cultural Information disseminated in Belize?in Belize?

Brochures, Posters, PostcardsBrochures, Posters, Postcards Tour guides trainingTour guides training School Education ProgramSchool Education Program Research Report in Belizean Archaeology JournalResearch Report in Belizean Archaeology Journal SymposiaSymposia Newsletters, Magazines (NICH CULTURE)Newsletters, Magazines (NICH CULTURE) National Collection ManagementNational Collection Management Website ( very basic)Website ( very basic) ExhibitionsExhibitions Festival of ArtsFestival of Arts

http://www.nichbelize.org/http://www.nichbelize.org/index.phpindex.php

Challenges with the effective management Challenges with the effective management of the website include:of the website include:

Lack of fundingLack of funding Trained personnel to manage the siteTrained personnel to manage the site Everyone coming to a consensus on its context, Everyone coming to a consensus on its context,

direction and layoutdirection and layout A focal point person for all institutions in NICH to A focal point person for all institutions in NICH to

ensure what specifically should be on their ensure what specifically should be on their organization webpageorganization webpage

A major problem lies in defining Belizean Culture, A major problem lies in defining Belizean Culture, particularly given the fact that we are a young particularly given the fact that we are a young nationnation

What constitutes a Belizean Culture?What constitutes a Belizean Culture?

Diversity of Ethnic Groups in Belize of a total population of Diversity of Ethnic Groups in Belize of a total population of approx 300,000approx 300,000

These include:These include:

Maya (3 groups Kekchi, Mopan, Yucatec), Garifuna, Creole, Maya (3 groups Kekchi, Mopan, Yucatec), Garifuna, Creole, Mestizo, East Indians, Lebanese, Chinese, MennonitesMestizo, East Indians, Lebanese, Chinese, Mennonites..

Does nation building require a homogenization of culture? Does nation building require a homogenization of culture?

(National Identity)(National Identity)

Does Belize embark of a fusion of cultureDoes Belize embark of a fusion of culture

, highlighting a few elements of each ethnic group, or should , highlighting a few elements of each ethnic group, or should we subscribe to “encouraging diversity, allowing for the we subscribe to “encouraging diversity, allowing for the

dynamics of each group to participate in national dynamics of each group to participate in national consciousness”consciousness”