Moves to further protect and manage Bermudian culture are to include a heritage council and fund, Owen Darrell told the Senate yesterday.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport highlighted his ministry’s work to create programmes that promote and preserve island culture such as the creation of the annual Gombey festival, the National Cultural Heritage Policy and creatives.bm, an online hub highlighting local artists and performers.

However, he said that the ministry planned to broaden the scope of its initiatives.

Mr Darrell told senators that the Government intended to develop legislation, regulations, standards and guidelines for the protection and management of cultural heritage, as well as create a National Heritage Council and National Heritage Fund.

He added that the ministry planned to make improvements to creatives.bm and progress the makerspaces scheme.

Mr Darrell, the Government Senate Leader, explained: “It is an initiative that provides artists, musicians, dancers and other creatives with dedicated space to hone their craft and create new works.

“The makerspaces will also serve as a venue for workshops, exhibitions and performances fostering collaboration and innovation among the creative community.”

While Mr Darrell said he would not yet disclose where the makerspaces would be, the programme was intended to be launched in September.

“Not only are we in progress but we had someone in July who was ready to move in and become our first resident of the makerspace,” he said.

“Unfortunately their plans changed and the space was not needed. It hasn’t started yet, but it would have been ready to start in July.”

He also said that the ministry intended to launch new cultural events and experiences such as a jazz festival, a film festival and the Bermuda Literary Festival, along with enhancing existing events such as the Gombey Festival and Carnival in Bermuda.

While Mr Darrell said, in response to questions, that he was not able to provide an update on the Fairmont Southampton. He noted that tourism investment orders were approved for several hotel properties.

He added that the ministry intended to raise public awareness about TIOs in an effort to encourage investment in attractions on the island.

“We would like to see more people applying for these attractions so that they can get the benefits available to them,” he said.

Mr Darrell said that while youth-focused programmes were moved to the Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, several initiatives launched before the change.

He mentioned work to establish a National Youth Council to serve as a representative and advisory body for young people to ensure they have input in the decision-making process.

The senator also highlighted plans to expand the Youth Innovation Entrepreneurship initiative into technology, tourism and green economy fields.

Mr Darrell said that work was also under way on a Youth Innovation Challenge that would invite young people to submit solutions to environmental and social issues facing the island.

The challenge is to task young Bermudians with considering how AI and technological advancements can be harnessed to advance their ideas.

Mr Darrell added that the ministry also aimed to strengthen the Youth Parliament to improve engagement and enhance the Youth Arts and Culture Programme to give young people more opportunities to showcase their talents.

He said: “The ministry is proud of the achievements and progress made over the past seven years. This statement only touches the surface.

“As we navigate through some continued challenges and opportunities ahead, we are committed to working with partners and stakeholders to continue building a better Bermuda by promoting sustainable initiatives and programmes through cultural expression, sport participation and tourism enchantments.”