The Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) has announced the return of Art and the City for 2026, unveiling an expanded programme that pledges to celebrate Saint Lucia’s distinctive artistic traditions while embracing bold new creative expressions.
This year’s edition introduces sweeping changes designed to deepen public engagement and ensure the arts component of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival enjoys greater visibility.
For the first time, events will be decentralised beyond Castries and Rodney Bay, reaching into the communities of Vieux Fort and Anse La Raye. Organisers say the move is meant to broaden participation and make the arts more accessible across the island.
Another key adjustment is the earlier start date of April 17, giving theatre, film, visual arts, spoken word and culinary experiences a dedicated spotlight ahead of the festival’s mainstage concerts.
The programme opens in Vieux Fort with Art in the Street at the New Market Complex at 10:00 a.m., followed by Readings & Rhythms at 7:00 p.m., establishing the tone for a celebration of creativity and community.
Among the highlights is the Cultural Icon Series Gala Dinner on April 24 and 25 at Sandals Grande, honouring Saint Lucian culinary pioneer Edward “Chef Harry” Joseph with a tribute blending gastronomy, music and performance. Theatre lovers can look forward to Travis Weekes’ Don’t Call Me Baby Doll at Warehouse 11 on April 26 and 27, while movie lovers will enjoy screenings from The Jumpstart Film Project at Caribbean Cinemas.
Visual arts take centre stage with Life in Colour, a major exhibition running April 27 to May 16, featuring works by Alwyn St. Omer, Shallon Fadlien, Nancy Cole, John Phulchere, and Cecil Fevrier. Musical theatre follows on April 29 with Ten to One, the Mighty Sparrow musical produced by Rawle Gibbons and directed by Louis McWilliams.
Storytelling is going to animate Anse La Raye’s celebrated Fish Friday on May 1, featuring George “Fish” Alphonse and Kiedel Sonny. The programme continues with Kendel Hippolyte’s Triptych at Warehouse 11 on May 2 and 3, and the spoken-word showcase Voices of the Underground on May 4 at the National Cultural Centre, headlined by internationally acclaimed dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson and CARIFESTA Poetry Slam Champion Shyne Savory.
In a new twist, the familiar Jazz on the Square will be replaced by Artscape Pop-Up Concerts from May 5 to 7, transforming everyday spaces into energetic stages for dance, theatre and music. The celebration concludes with Ti Tak Sent Lisi, the Craft and Souvenir Market on the Rodney Bay Strip, May 7 and 8, showcasing handcrafted works by Saint Lucian artisans.
Through its expanded geographic reach and innovative programming, Art and the City 2026 reaffirms the CDF’s commitment to celebrating Saint Lucia’s creative spirit and supporting the continued growth of the island’s cultural and creative industries.
Congratulations to all those whose works were selected for screenings during the St . Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival. This is an initiative that will surely encourage the youth to excell at their craft in these hard times .