Guyana Animation Network (GAN) Launched

The Guyana Animation Network (GAN) was officially launched at an Open Day in the Generation Next Conference Hall in Georgetown, Guyana, on Saturday 2 July 2016. GAN is a network established to use it resources to create and provide access to opportunities for persons within Guyana’s artistic, creative and technological communities; to develop the requisite skills, with their talents and to service the Caribbean Animation Industry.

Founder and President of GAN, Ms. Jubilanté Cutting, reflected on the origin of the initiative for the establishment of an animation network in Guyana. She described her journey from her first participation as a high school student in the Girls in ICT Day organised by the CARICOM Secretariat in April 2014 where she was introduced to animation. She was among the thirty beneficiaries at a four-day CARICOM-USAID Animation Workshop in July 2014 in Guyana, where she learned the basics of animation and was subsequently selected as one of the best participants of the workshop to travel to the Animae Caribe Animation and Digital Media Festival, held in Trinidad and Tobago in October 2014. From the exposure to the exciting world of animation and opportunities for young persons, she committed herself to raise awareness and mobilise young persons, engaged in the arts, animation and ICT and establish the Guyana Animation Network to organise and support the development of the sector.

Deputy Programme Manager Culture in the CARICOM Secretariat, Ms. Riane de Haas-Bledoeg, elaborated on the critical role of the cultural and creative industries, including animation, the use of ICTs and engagement of young persons in the development of the Region. She mentioned that over the past years animation has been receiving more attention from governments, donor organisations, the private sector and regional and international financial institutions.  CARICOM Heads of Government have recommended that animation should be among the sectors for prioritized attention within the creative industries as it has tremendous growth potential as an emerging sector in the regional context and leverages digital technology and engages youth. She emphasized the need for animators and other expertise linked to animation to network, specialise and collaborate to bring the industry to a higher level.

Ms. Francine Leitch, Freelance Artist, in a brief message, encouraged members of the artist community and young persons to actively get involved in the strengthening of GAN and animation in Guyana. Mr. Martin Massiah, animator and GAN Board member, gave examples of disciplines that make use of animation and provided information on the financial opportunities available in animation.

The Open Day which focused on the development of partnerships of Guyanese professionals, corporate entities, youth and NGOs, attracted much attention from youth, artists, animators, ICT professionals, private sector, among others. Emerging and skilled artists and animators featured their work in a mini-exhibition.

GAN is a non-governmental and not-for-profit start-up corporation and its Board Members are:

Ms. Jubilanté Cutting – Founder and President

Mr. Lance Hinds – Vice President

Ms. Teshanna Bynoe – Secretary

Mr. Martin Massiah – Treasurer

Mr. Mark Allid – Project Manager

Mr. Rosh Khan – Internal Governance Officer

Mr. Francis Bailey – Media Relations Officer

Mr. Mario Glasgow and Mr. Ryon Persaud – Festival Co-ordinators

Contact information for GAN is guyana.animationnetwork@gmail.com and https://www.facebook.com/animateguyana/

Other links about GAN:

http://www.guyana-times.com/?p=10221

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2016/news/stories/07/05/young-entrepreneur-formally-launches-animation-start/

https://www.facebook.com/animateguyana/videos/473539369483310/

https://www.facebook.com/animateguyana/videos/473539369483310/