Q: What role do local artists and creatives play in shaping the visitor experience?
A: Local artists and creatives are at the heart of the visitor experience in Downtown Kingston.
Through initiatives like the Paint the City mural project, Artwalk Festival, and monthly Creative
Meetups, they co-create a vibrant and authentic cultural atmosphere that invites both locals and
tourists to explore Downtown Kingston. These creatives share their talents in visual arts, music,
performance, and craft and allow visitors to not only witness but participate in an immersive
experience that connects Jamaican culture to place in a powerful and memorable way.
Q: How has your organization leveraged art and culture to drive urban renewal in
Kingston?
A: Kingston Creative has used art as both a catalyst and a connector for urban renewal. Our Paint
the City mural project is a key example, transforming walls into vibrant canvases that beautify
Downtown Kingston and tell powerful local stories. By integrating arts programming with
community engagement, we’ve revitalized underutilized spaces and created safe, inspiring
environments for residents and visitors alike. Creative placemaking is not only the artists, it is
the welders, the builders, painters, masons and everyone else who creates and participates in
these spaces. Our public street art gallery and cultural events have increased foot traffic,
supported small businesses, and transformed Downtown Kingston from a place of
underdevelopment to one of creativity, innovation, and opportunity.
Q: In what ways has Kingston Creative contributed to building a sustainable creative
economy in Jamaica?
A: We focus on long-term capacity-building for creatives: through training, access to markets,
business incubation, and strategic partnerships. Initiatives like the CreaTech Programme and
Artisan Collective Store on the Kulcha Connect App and Website, connect creatives to digitaltools, local buyers, and export opportunities. Our monthly Creative Meetups foster collaboration
and visibility across industries. By aligning creative talent with economic development goals, we
are not only empowering individuals but building an ecosystem where art generates jobs,
attracts investment, and contributes meaningfully to Jamaica’s economic growth.
