Minister Samal Duggins Delivers Another Milestone with Creative Arts Centre Groundbreaking
Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, January 9th, 2026 — The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis today marked a historic milestone with the official groundbreaking of the Creative Arts Centre, a transformative project championed by Hon. Samal Duggins, Minister of Small Business, Entrepreneurship, Cooperatives and the Creative Economy.
The Creative Arts Centre represents a major investment in the nation’s cultural and creative sectors and will serve as the largest integrated hub for creatives in the Eastern Caribbean. Designed as a purpose-built ecosystem, the facility will support a wide range of disciplines including cultural heritage, performing arts, visual arts and craft, culinary arts, film and media, literary arts, gaming and innovation, cosmetics arts, and arts administration.
Addressing stakeholders, creatives, and partners at the ceremony, Minister Duggins emphasized that the project goes beyond bricks and mortar.
“Today, we are not just breaking ground on a building — we are affirming a belief. A belief that creativity will no longer be treated as a hobby, a side note, or something we applaud one day and neglect the next. Today, we affirm that the creative sector will be a central pillar of a prosperous future for St. Kitts and Nevis.”
The Centre is expected to generate employment during construction and ongoing operations, provide structured opportunities for creative professionals, and strengthen the creative economy as a viable driver of national development.
Minister Duggins noted that the project fulfils a long-standing commitment he made to the creative community long before entering public office, rooted in his own lived experience as a creative.
“This is not just a building — it is a creative ecosystem. A home for our artists, innovators, and cultural practitioners. It is a promise kept to the creatives of this country.”
The Minister also commended the Creative Task Force for its critical role in shaping the project through consultation and collaboration, ensuring that the facility reflects the real needs of creatives across disciplines and generations. He further acknowledged the leadership of Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew and Cabinet, the support of the Citizenship by Investment Unit, and the partnership with Prime Developments in bringing the vision to life.
The Creative Arts Centre forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to diversify the economy, empower young people, and position St. Kitts and Nevis as a regional leader in culture, innovation, and creative enterprise.
As construction begins, the project stands as another clear example of delivery in action — translating vision into infrastructure and commitments into outcomes for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
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