A government grant of roughly CI$60,000 awarded to a local entertainment company to develop young talent has caused some in the music industry to wonder whether the use of public monies for such endeavours could have been more inclusive.
Goldfinger Entertainment was the recipient of the funds, which are being used to further the careers of young talent in its stable – the most notable of whom may be young singer and rising talent Jeffrey Wilson.
However, the move by the government has caused some in the music community to question the fairness of the grant, as well as whether there was communication to other musicians and/or entertainment companies that such opportunities for government funding were available.
Founder of Goldfinger Entertainment, James Anglin spoke with the Caymanian Compass regarding such sentiments and urged others to not be too hasty to be judgemental but instead try to be supportive of what he is trying to do for the youths in Cayman musically.
“I am just going forward trying to do what I do for the youth of this country,” he said. “There is a movement among young people now and what I want to do is work together for someone to make it out. I have always been consistent. I did not support the United Democratic Party publicly and so I am not getting respect for being on their side.”
Questions submitted to the Office of the Premier regarding the grant and the process undertaken to decide upon funding recipients were not answered by press time.
Meanwhile, Mr. Anglin said other musicians have received assistance from the government. For example, musical act ThE iZ received funding last year from the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism to produce two videos. However, the amount of funding given to Goldfinger Entertainment and the absence of a public accounting of exactly how the monies were to be spent and why Goldfinger was chosen to begin with, has caused concern from some corners of the industry.
“It may very well be that Mr. Anglin is doing great work among the youth and we are happy for his company and Jeffrey, but we cannot forget about all the other young artists who need assistance.
Goldfinger Entertainment represents a select group of youths, while the Cayman Music and Entertainment Association, which is charged with representing all musicians in the Cayman Islands, gets a grant of only $8,000 per year,” said Jean Eric Smith, CMEA president.
Mr. Smith said he hoped the size of the funding bestowed upon Goldfinger was an indication of the government’s willingness to appropriate additional monies in the future.
“The act itself may sow discord and be counterproductive to unity if public funds are not used for the greater good.
However, If it is going to be an annual grant for those who can show a certain amount of progress, then we are all for it,” Mr. Smith said.
Fellow musician Mitch Ebanks, who has won awards and produced albums during a career spanning more than 40 years, said he would like to see a little more parity with regard to the distribution of such government grants.
“It’s good to see someone getting real help from the government to do music finally, but there should be an effort to make sure that all who are sincerely pursuing success in the field and making true progress are not overlooked,” Mr. Ebanks said. “Maybe they should spread it out a little or make it an annual grant that people can vie for in some way, if that is not already the case.”
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