The Government has achieved “a major milestone” in providing free spaces for artists and musicians to practise their crafts.

Speaking in the Senate on Wednesday, Owen Darrell, the culture minister, said that the Makerspace initiative demonstrated “our commitment to providing artists, musicians, dancers and performers with the resources and environment they need to flourish”.

Under the scheme, launched last week at CedarBridge Academy, artists can book a space at the school between 4.30pm and 8.30pm, with additional access on weekends by appointment.

Mr Darrell said: “For our visual artists, we have outfitted a room with easels and work tables, creating an inspiring environment for painters, sculptors and all those who work with their hands and imagination.

“Musicians will have access to dedicated spaces for rehearsals and practice, equipped with essentials like a drum kit and keyboards.

“These spaces will allow artists to refine their sound, prepare for performances, and develop new compositions without the burden of costly studio rentals.

“We recognise that many artists lack the luxury of a private studio, and with the Department of Culture Makerspace, they will now have shared access to a place where they can explore new techniques, collaborate with peers or simply focus on their craft.”

Mr Darrell said that rooms would be open to artists from all disciplines who would go through a vetting process.

Once approved, each will be assigned a unique identification number, allowing secure access to the rooms.

He added: “The art, music, performances and ideas born in this space will have a ripple effect through our society.

“Our local art scene will grow more vibrant, our musicians will inspire us with new sounds, and our performances will breathe life into our culture. When we give space for creativity to flourish, we uplift the entire community.”

His words were applauded by opposition senators, with Dwayne Robinson and Robin Tucker describing it as a “very good initiative”.

Both One Bermuda Alliance MPs posed technical questions about how the system would be managed, with Ms Tucker asking: “What happens if there’s a clash with scheduling?”

Mr Darrell replied: “I’m struggling with the questions. In my statement, I celebrated the creatives. To focus on what ifs and if we need a mediator is definitely not in the spirit in which the statement was given.”

Mr Darrell said that no opposition politician showed up for the ribbon-cutting last Thursday, and questioned whether the OBA really supported the project.