Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced plans Friday to expand the cultural facilities surrounding Antigua and Barbuda’s new National Performing Arts Centre, saying the investment should help artists earn a living, create jobs and strengthen tourism.

Speaking at the centre’s opening ceremony, Browne said the government had acquired a neighboring building for conversion into a modern creative arts studio. He said he had also instructed that another adjoining building be acquired to further expand the complex.

The centre, developed from the former Deluxe Cinema, would provide a permanent home for music, dance, theater and storytelling while supporting the next generation of performers, he said.

“Our culture is not merely a part of our identity. It is an important economic asset that we will monetize and utilize to strengthen our tourism product, to create jobs and showcase the best of Antigua and Barbuda to the world,” Browne said.

He said the government had agreed to incorporate more cultural experiences into tourism, with the aim of increasing visitor spending and creating more earning opportunities for residents.

The broader objective, he said, was to support employment and entrepreneurship while giving artists the facilities needed to develop careers.

“By so doing, we are ensuring that our artists are not merely celebrated for their creativity, but are also empowered to earn a livelihood from it,” he said.

Browne said the vision for the centre dated back eight years, when the government decided to purchase the former cinema. He put the acquisition price at $6 million, saying the discounted purchase delivered about $5 million in additional value to the government and people.

He defended the acquisition against past criticism, rejecting accusations of corruption and nepotism and accusing political opponents of spreading misinformation about the project.

“Notwithstanding the criticisms and negativity, we soldiered on, ignoring the noise, and today we proudly celebrate its opening,” he said.

Browne described the development as the country’s most significant investment in its creative economy and urged performers to set their sights on international success.

“We’re seeking to develop artists who can compete globally. So again, do not limit your ambitions,” he said.

He also linked investment in the performing arts to efforts to reduce youth crime and violence, saying access to creative activities could help keep young people productively engaged while developing confidence and discipline.

Browne thanked Philip Morris and the government of the United Arab Emirates, saying they contributed more than $4 million and $800,000, respectively, toward the centre.

He also credited Works and Housing Minister Maria Browne, Minister Rawdon Turner, Cynthia Laviscount and the construction and public works teams with bringing the project to completion.

The centre’s success, he said, would ultimately depend on its impact on people rather than its appearance or technical equipment.

“The true success of this center will not be measured simply by its aesthetics and state-of-the-art audiovisuals, but by the lives it touches, the talents it develops, the opportunities it creates, and the stories that it brings to life,” Browne said.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda opens performing arts centre, plans further expansion.