Preparation underway for new state-of-the-art museum and art gallery
The government has commenced preparations for the design of a new state-of-the-art museum and art gallery. This museum and art gallery are among the projects planned for this year for the culture and arts industry.
In addition to the museum and art gallery, which is estimated to cost $1 billion, the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led Administration plans to construct a cultural market in Palmyra, which will be a rich educational and cultural hub to showcase the diversity and unity of our people for families to enjoy and celebrate.
The cost for this initiative is pegged at $800 million. “The sum of $2.6 billion was expended and the sum of $3.6 billion is budgeted in 2025 to support the ongoing development of culture and the arts,” Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh said during the 2025 Budget presentation.
On the music and the performing arts front, upgrades are expected to the National Cultural Centre, Guyana’s premier venue for cultural events and activities, resulting in 92 productions being accommodated in 2024.
According to Dr. Singh, Guyana’s music and performing arts industry has grown, and in 2024, over 360 persons were engaged in national events throughout the year.
“We constructed a recording studio in Port Mourant, which will be operationalized in the first quarter of 2025, and we will commence works on three additional studios in Regions 2, 3, and 10 to support artists and subsidise the cost of recording music. To this end, the sum of $97.3 million is budgeted.”
The Senior Minister noted that the government has been making a concerted effort to encourage Guyanese to embrace their national identity, take pride in their heritage, and work cohesively to build a thriving society.
“This is the essence of His Excellency the President’s adoption of One Guyana as the theme of his presidency,” Dr. Singh stated. “Government continues to invest in our historical structures, monuments, forts and cultural landmarks across the country to ensure ease of access and quality visitor experience. In 2024, over 108,000 visitors were recorded as guests to heritage sites, including the Dutch Heritage Museum, Fort Nassau, Fort Kyk-Over-Al, Fort Zeelandia, and Hogg Island,” he concluded.
