The Reading Room | Cayman National Cultural Foundation

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Catch up with the latest news (and past news stories) from the Cayman National Cultural Foundation.

Featured News

Cayman Islands Folk Singers performance dates announced

Caymanian Times | 25 October 2022

The Cayman Islands Folk Singers will perform at several venues around Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac this year, performing at the Lion Centre for Old Person’s Month, in all districts for Gimistory, Christmas of YesterYear and Christmas concerts. Starting in Cayman Brac this Saturday 22 October, the group will finish the season with a production in partnership with the Cayman Islands National Dance Company at Harquail Theatre on Sunday 18 December.

Winner of CNCF National Playwriting Competition Announced

Caymanian Times | 6 June 2022 (also featured in Cayman Compass, Cayman Marl Road and on Radio Cayman)

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) has announced Kirsty O’Sullivan as the winner of the 2022 National Playwriting Competition (NPC). O’Sullivan’s play – Floating Doll – was one of three entries in the category of one-act plays written by individuals aged 18 and over.

National Cultural Foundation Seeking Volunteers

6 June 2022 | Loop Cayman

The Cayman Islands National Cultural Foundation said that they are looking for a few good volunteers to conduct free student and public tours of the Mind’s Eye Education Centre, affectionately and widely known as Miss Lassie’s House.

Natalie Urquhart appointed as interim CEO National Cultural Foundation

9 April 2022 | Loop Cayman

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) has announced the appointment of Natalie Urquhart as interim Chief Executive Officer on a six-month secondment from her role as Director of the National Gallery.

CNCF’s National Playwriting Competition Returns

1 April 2022 | Cayman Compass

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) has brought back the National Playwriting Competition (NPC) which gives persons, young and old, the opportunity to share their writing talent to potentially win a monetary prize and have their play produced. In celebration of Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee, entries are being invited for plays written around the theme ‘Majesty’, whatever the writer’s interpretation of that word may be.

Community shows cultural pride in Dress for Culture Day

11 March 2022 | Cayman Compass

The Cayman community showed off their homeland pride and cultural attire in honour of the National Cultural Foundation’s Dress for Culture Day fundraiser.

Winners Announced for the 28th Annual National Arts & Culture Awards

9 February 2022 | Caymanian Times (also featured in Cayman Compass and Cayman News Service)

Twelve of Cayman’s cultural practitioners and preservationists will be honoured for their contribution to the country’s arts and cultural legacy at the Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s 28th annual National Arts and Culture Awards which takes place on Thursday, 17 February at the Harquail Theatre.

Christmas of Yesteryears to be Reenacted at Miss Lassie’s House

20 December 2021 | Caymanian Times

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) will be cleaning and sprucing up Miss Lassie’s home in South Sound in preparation for Christmas. The annual event, called “Christmas of Yesteryears”, reenacts the various activities that Caymanians would engage in years ago as part of their cultural traditions during the holiday season.

Grant applications open for CNCF 2022 programme

9 December 2021 | Cayman Compass

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) has announced that the application process for the 2022 Grants for the Arts programme (March review) is now open. Grant applications are considered annually in March and September and is a part of the organisation’s mission to facilitate and preserve all forms of artistic expression in Cayman.

Cayman Islands Folk Singers to Host First Concert Series in Five Years

21 October 2021 | Cayman Compass (also featured in Caymanian Times and Loop Cayman News)

Fans of the Cayman Islands Folk Singers are in for a treat this month when the group hosts its first concert series in over five years. “Memories of Yesteryears” is the theme of the event which takes place from Friday, 29 October to Sunday, 31 October at the Harquail Theatre and on Saturday, 6 November in Cayman Brac at the Agriculture Grounds.

Local Historian to Star in Cultural Symposium

25 May 2021 | Cayman News Service

Caymanian historian, educator, author and former education minister, Roy Bodden, will be the star of a planned symposium by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) next month at the Harquail Theatre which will be open to the public and free of charge.

CNCF to Host Symposium on the Work of Caymanian Author J. A. Roy Bodden

24 May 2021 | Caymanian Times

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF), in collaboration with the Committee for the Promotion of Research and Cayman Scholarship (CPRCS), will be hosting a symposium to discuss and celebrate the work of prominent Caymanian historian, educator, author and former member of Government J. A. Roy Bodden.

CNCF Art Grant Applications Open

8 May 2021 | Cayman Marl Road

Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) has announced the opening of its 2021 art grants which will be awarded in September.

Celebrating Cayman Writers, Writings & the Arts: A Multiplicity of Genres

6 May 2021 | Caymanian Times

Cayman’s varied writings cater to whatever is our individual interest and preoccupation, displaying awesome talent. Since Cayman can brag such a multiplicity of genres, it is hoped that we will take a new look at ourselves, what we produce, visit a local bookstore, and simply delve!

Application Process for CNCF 2021 Grants For the Arts Programme Opens

4 May 2021 | Radio Cayman

Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) has announced the opening of its 2021 arts grants which will be awarded in September. CNCF grant applications are considered annually in March and September, and are part of the organisation’s mission to faciliate and preserve all forms of artisic expression in Cayman

‘Rundown’ returns to the Harquail

18 March 2021 | Cayman Compass

After a self-imposed quarantine in 2020, due to the global pandemic, ‘Rundown’ has returned in 2021 to spread laughter, not COVID. Produced by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, Cayman’s most hilarious show is back for its 28th season with its usual laugh-out-loud mix of comedy, satire and songs about living life in Cayman, told through a collection of skits, monologues and music.

Rundown Returns to Spread Laughter, Not COVID!

17 March 2021 | Caymanian Times

After a self-imposed quarantine in 2020 due to a global pandemic, Rundown has returned in 2021 to spread laughter, not COVID. Produced by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF), Cayman’s most hilarious comedy show is back for its 28th season with its usual laugh-out-loud mix of comedy, satire and songs about living life in Cayman told through a collection of skits, monologues and music. The show is rated PG.

Indonesian Media Coverage of Red Sky At Night

3 March 2021 | Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Embassy, London: Indonesia’s art and cultural diversity has now received a recognition at the 9th annual festival ‘Red Sky at Night’ organized by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation which was held in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.

At the event which took place on Saturday (27/2/2021), Indonesia won third place as “the Best International Showcase”.

Red Sky at Night – what a delight!

1 March 2021 | Caymanian Times

Red Sky at Night, on the grounds of the Harquail Theatre is unique on the Cayman culture calendar. Where else can you see expressions of just about every single facet of human creativity, from paintings, to dance to music, storytelling film and drama? Produced by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, Red Sky is an incredibly popular anchor event for Cayfest, the Cayman Islands National Festival of the Arts.

Dress For Culture Day Marked

1 March 2021 | Caymanian Times

Civil Servants show support for the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) by participating in its annual Dress for Culture Day (Friday, 26 February 2021).

The CNCF is promoting the Day across the Cayman Islands to showcase the 135-plus nationalities on the three islands as well as to raise funds for CNCF’s programmes. These include its Youth Art programme, Gimistory, Rundown, Red Sky at Night and CayFest.

Cayfest celebrates arts and culture

19 February 2021 | Cayman Compass

There is no question that performers and entertainers have been hard hit by the pandemic. Stage productions, concerts and other shows were postponed or cancelled last year, leaving a void in the arts.

Thankfully, restrictions have now been relaxed significantly, giving beloved events the green light. Therefore, the Cayman National Cultural Foundation has announced that Cayfest 2021 will be happening on the weekend of 26 and 27 Feb.,

National Arts & Culture Awards recipients announced

17 February 2021 | Cayman Compass

Save The Date for Cayfest 2021

3 February 2021 | Caymanian Times

After a difficult year for the arts and culture community and the creative economy, the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF), organiser of Cayfest 2021, is looking forward to once again highlighting the cultural diversity and artistic talent that flourishes in Cayman.

Work Being Carried Out on Miss Lassie’s Home

1 September 2020 | Caymanian Times

Mind’s Eye, the historic home of Caymanian visionary artist Gladwyn “Miss Lassie” Bush, is currently undergoing some maintenance, the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) has advised.

National Cultural Foundation to perform award-winning play on Radio Cayman

30 August 2020 | Cayman Compass

The Harquail Theatre will be coming live and direct into Cayman residents’ homes and cars this September and October when the Cayman National Cultural Foundation performs the award-winning play ‘De Honeymoon Over’ on Radio Cayman.

CNCF’s Dress For Culture Day Celebrates Cayman’s Diversity

7 March 2020 | Caymanian Times

Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s (CNCF) celebration of all things arts and culture continues with Dress For Culture Day, the organisation’s annual ‘dress up, dress down’ fundraiser, which takes place on Friday, 13 March. Schools, businesses and individuals across the Cayman Islands are invited to get creative and display their homeland pride and cultural attire on that day.

Red Sky at Night delivers delights

1 March 2020 | Cayman Compass

Visitors and residents got a taste of local culture Saturday night at the annual Red Sky at Night event at the F.J. Harquail Cultural Centre. Organised by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, the evening featured local artisans, artists, dancers, musicians, storytellers and other live cultural demonstrations.

Red Sky At Night Sets the Stage for an Explosion of Local Talent

25 February 2020 | Caymanian Times

There aren’t many places in Cayman where one can find four sound stages offering an eclectic mix of musical performances, drama, theatre, poetry, fashion, dance and film for six hours. However, each year the Red Sky At Night multi-cultural arts fair presents multiple stages for local artistes and performers to showcase their talents while surrounded by dozens of fine artists and artisans displaying their creations of locally made art, crafts, jewellery, clothing and accessories.

26th Annual National Arts & Culture Awards Recipients Announced

13 February 2020 | Loop Cayman

Seven of Cayman’s cultural practitioners and preservationists will be honoured for their contribution to the country’s arts and cultural legacy at the Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s 26th annual National Arts and Culture Awards.

Thought-Provoking Play to Make Cayman Debut at Red Sky At Night

7 February 2020 | Caymanian Times

“Risk Assessment”, a thought-provoking play written for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019 and performed by Cayman-based theatre group Thespian & Proud, will make its debut in the Cayman Islands on Saturday, 29 February at the National Cultural Foundation’s annual Red Sky at Night festival. The 45-minute play explores difficult and challenging themes such as feminism, stereotypes, misogynism, motherhood, career prospects, rape, sexual harassment and domestic abuse and the differing experiences of three separate women.

CayFest 2020 to Showcase The Best of Cayman Culture

17 January 2020 | Caymanian Times

Creative excellence from Cayman’s arts and culture community will be on display next month when Cayfest, the Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s (CNCF) annual arts and culture festival, gets underway in February. Organisers are looking forward to once again highlighting the cultural diversity and artistic talent that flourishes in Cayman. For those artisans, actors, comics, fashion designers, magicians, food vendors, singers, dancers, instrumentalists, musical groups, poets and storytellers who haven’t signed up yet to participate in this special event, there is still time to get involved.

Winner of Gimistory Fish Fry Competition Announced

8 January 2020 | Caymanian Times

Georgette Rankine from East End has been crowned champion of the Gimistory Fish Fry Competition. The contest was part of the 2019 Gimistory International Storytelling Festival, presented by Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF), which took place from 29 November until 7 December 2019 at beaches and parks on all three islands. Each venue featured a local representative who showcased traditional preparation of fish and fritters.