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Catch up with the latest news (and past news stories) from the Cayman National Cultural Foundation.

Featured News

red sky

Red Sky At Night To Showcase the Best Of Cayman’s Culture

26 February 2024

Cayman will celebrate all things arts and culture at the 11th annual Red Sky at Night multi-displinary arts festival, presented by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF). Tickets are now on sale for the event which takes place on Saturday, 2 March from 4pm to 11pm on the grounds of the F. J. Harquail Cultural Centre.

echoes of the past

CNCF marks Black History Month with ‘Echoes of the Past’ showcase

Cayman Compass | 22 February 2024

In honour of Black History month, the Cayman National Cultural Foundation will be presenting ‘Echoes of the Past’, a performance themed around the black diaspora, at Harquail Theatre, on 24 and 25 Feb. at 7pm and 6pm, respectively.

Cassianne Lawrence

CNCF Announces: Grant for the Arts programme Recipients 2023

Radio Cayman | 26 January 2024

In honour of Black History month, the Cayman National Cultural Foundation will be presenting ‘Echoes of the Past’, a performance themed around the black diaspora, at Harquail Theatre, on 24 and 25 Feb. at 7pm and 6pm, respectively.

CNCF Grants

Application process opens for CNCF 2024 ‘Grants for the Arts’

Cayman Compass | 6 January 2024

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation has announced the opening of its 2024 ‘Grants for the Arts’ programme.

“As part of our mission to facilitate and preserve all forms of artistic expression in Cayman, the Cultural Foundation awards financial grants to individuals, groups and organisations to help encourage and further development, to assist in bringing a worthy project to fruition, or in some cases to support an ongoing project or programme,” said Nicole Durrant, programmes coordinator at CNCF.

Choppy, Zekiel, and Aunt Sookie

Gimistory Expands to Local and International Talent for 2023

Radio Cayman | 23 November 2023

Following a successful return to the Gimistory stage in 2022, Gimistory is back for 2023 with an expanded lineup from the wider Caribbean region and beyond. Seven shows are set to take place across each district, including Cayman Brac and newly added, Savannah. These family-friendly events are free and open to all.

CNCF Invites the Public to Celebrate Caymanian Culture at Red Sky at Night

CNCF Invites the Public to Celebrate Caymanian Culture at Red Sky at Night

Caymanian Times | 13 April 2023

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) is proud to present Red Sky at Night (RSAN) to the community after a hiatus caused by the pandemic. Each year, the multidisciplinary arts festival highlights the talent of local musicians and performers across four stages, and showcases the work of dozens of fine artists, artisans, and traditional food vendors.

Cayman’s Cultural Practitioners are honored at the National Arts and Culture Awards

Winners of National Arts and Culture Awards announced

Cayman Compass | 23 May 2023

Cayman’s cultural practitioners and preservationists will be honoured for their contributions to the islands’ arts and cultural legacy at an awards ceremony on Thursday, 25 May, at the Harquail Theatre.

The 2023 National Arts and Culture Awards are given to those who have made a significant contribution to arts and culture or achieved a high-quality body of creative work.

Miss Lassie an Intuitive Spirit

The National Gallery and the Cayman National Cultural Foundation – co-launch the new exhibition ‘Miss Lassie: An Intuitive Spirit’

Caymanian Times | 08 December 2022

The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) and the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) are proud to collaborate on a showcase of works by Gladwyn K. Bush – more commonly known as “Miss Lassie” – in celebration of the artist’s intuitive art practice. This exhibition presents a small selection of the 157 artworks manged by CNCF that comprise the ‘Gladwyn K. Bush Collection’.

Gimistory line up is Homegrown for 2022

Gimistory line-up is homegrown for 2022

Cayman Compass | 24 November 2022

Gimistory storytelling festival has a truly local flavour this year with a full line-up of Caymanian and resident storytellers at every event. Six shows are set to take place at parks and beaches across all districts of the Cayman Islands between Friday, 25 November and Friday, 2 December 2022. These family-friendly events are free and open to all.

CNCF Awards Nine Grants in 2022

CNCF’s Grants for the Arts Programme Supports Nine Creative Projects

Cayman Compass | 02 November 2022

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) highlights its latest round of 2022 grant recipients. CNCF grant applications are considered biannually in March and September and are a part of the organisation’s mission to facilitate and preserve all forms of artistic expression in Cayman.

Cayman Islands Folk Singers performance dates announced

Caymanian Times | 25 October 2022

The Cayman Islands Folk Singers will perform at several venues around Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac this year, performing at the Lion Centre for Old Person’s Month, in all districts for Gimistory, Christmas of YesterYear and Christmas concerts. Starting in Cayman Brac this Saturday 22 October, the group will finish the season with a production in partnership with the Cayman Islands National Dance Company at Harquail Theatre on Sunday 18 December.

NGCI & CNCF Joint Press Release Caribbean Linked

Caymanian artist attends Caribbean Linked VI residency

Cayman Compass | 01 September 2022

The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands and the Cayman National Cultural Foundation were proud to support artist John Reno Jackson in attending the sixth iteration of Caribbean Linked.

Caribbean Linked is an artist-in-residence programme in Aruba hosted annually by Ateliers ‘89, The Fresh Milk Art Platform, and ARC Magazine. It is a crucial space for building awareness across disparate creative communities by bringing together emerging artists from Anglophone, Francophone, Hispanic and Dutch Antillean Caribbean islands. Artist Simon Tatum was previously supported by the NGCI to represent the Cayman Islands at the residency.

Winner of CNCF National Playwriting Competition Announced

Caymanian Times | 6 June 2022 (also featured in Cayman Compass, Cayman Marl Road and on Radio Cayman)

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) has announced Kirsty O’Sullivan as the winner of the 2022 National Playwriting Competition (NPC). O’Sullivan’s play – Floating Doll – was one of three entries in the category of one-act plays written by individuals aged 18 and over.

National Cultural Foundation Seeking Volunteers

6 June 2022 | Loop Cayman

The Cayman Islands National Cultural Foundation said that they are looking for a few good volunteers to conduct free student and public tours of the Mind’s Eye Education Centre, affectionately and widely known as Miss Lassie’s House. 

Natalie Urquhart appointed as interim CEO National Cultural Foundation

9 April 2022 | Loop Cayman

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) has announced the appointment of  Natalie Urquhart as interim Chief Executive Officer on a six-month secondment from her role as Director of the National Gallery.

CNCF’s National Playwriting Competition Returns

 1 April 2022 | Cayman Compass

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) has brought back the National Playwriting Competition (NPC) which gives persons, young and old, the opportunity to share their writing talent to potentially win a monetary prize and have their play produced. In celebration of Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee, entries are being invited for plays written around the theme ‘Majesty’, whatever the writer’s interpretation of that word may be.

Community shows cultural pride in Dress for Culture Day

11 March 2022 | Cayman Compass

 The Cayman community showed off their homeland pride and cultural attire in honour of the National Cultural Foundation’s Dress for Culture Day fundraiser.

Winners Announced for the 28th Annual National Arts & Culture Awards

9 February 2022 | Caymanian Times (also featured in Cayman Compass and Cayman News Service)

Twelve of Cayman’s cultural practitioners and preservationists will be honoured for their contribution to the country’s arts and cultural legacy at the Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s 28th annual National Arts and Culture Awards which takes place on Thursday, 17 February at the Harquail Theatre.

Christmas of Yesteryears to be Reenacted at Miss Lassie’s House

20 December 2021 | Caymanian Times

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) will be cleaning and sprucing up Miss Lassie’s home in South Sound in preparation for Christmas. The annual event, called “Christmas of Yesteryears”, reenacts the various activities that Caymanians would engage in years ago as part of their cultural traditions during the holiday season.

Grant applications open for CNCF 2022 programme

9 December 2021 | Cayman Compass

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) has announced that the application process for the 2022 Grants for the Arts programme (March review) is now open. Grant applications are considered annually in March and September and is a part of the organisation’s mission to facilitate and preserve all forms of artistic expression in Cayman.

Cayman Islands Folk Singers to Host First Concert Series in Five Years

21 October 2021 | Cayman Compass (also featured in Caymanian Times and Loop Cayman News)

Fans of the Cayman Islands Folk Singers are in for a treat this month when the group hosts its first concert series in over five years. “Memories of Yesteryears” is the theme of the event which takes place from Friday, 29 October to Sunday, 31 October at the Harquail Theatre and on Saturday, 6 November in Cayman Brac at the Agriculture Grounds.

News Archive

2018 News
Comedy road show takes performances mobile

CNCF to do Christmas Comedy Roadshow

Despite lackluster attendance CNCF delivers stirring performance in Moon on a Rainbow Shawl

Moon on a Rainbow Shawl’ at Harquail Theatre

CNS Local Life (24 August 2018) Folk Singers Celebrate Album Launch

Cayman 27 (21 August 2018) National Folk Singers and North Side Kitchen Band Launch Album

Cayman Compass (21 August 2018) ‘Come Back Home’ explores Cayman’s heritage

Cayman Compass (9 August 2018) Traditional Groups Release Album

Cayman News Service (1 August 2018) CNCF Releases Album of Local Fold Music

Cayman Compass (26 June 2018) Broadway designer’s art on display

Cayman Compass (14 June2018) John Gray Hosts First Annual Volunteer Fair

Cayman Compass (27 May 2018) Annual Charity Drive Begins Tuesday

Cayman Compass (7 May 2018) Kaaboo Offers Its Own Cayman Kindness

Cayman Now (26 April 2018) CNCF Rundown 

Cayman Compass (19 April 2018) Rundown Returns For More Belly Laughs 

Cayman Compass (4 March 2018) Red Sky At Night In Focus

Cayman Compass (25 February 2018) Cayman Dresses for Culture

Cayman News Service (22 February 2018) Time to Celebrate Cultural Diversity

Cayman Compass (21 February 2018) Public invited to take part in Dress for Culture Day

Cayman 27 (21 February 2018) CNCF Award Winner Stresses Importance of Arts and Culture 

Cayman 27 (19 February 2018) National Art and Culture Awards Winners Announced

Cayman Compass (19 February 2018) Cayman Artists to Take Centre Stage at Harquail

Cayman 27 (19 February 2018) CNCF Talks Red Sky at Night

Cayman Compass (19 February 2018) Red Sky at Night Cultural Delight 

Cayman 27 (16 February 2018) 6th Annual Red Sky is Back

Cayman News Service (9 February 2018) Cayman Set to Celebrate Art and Culture

2016 News
Ray Funk explains how an annual storytelling festival captures the imaginations of Caymanians – Caribbean Beat Issue 142 November/December 2016

Tales told under night – Cayman Compass 24/11/2016

Gimistory coming to Bodden Town – Cayman Compass 23/11/2016

‘Collected Stories’ at Harquail – Cayman Compass 28/10/2016

Schools to receive arts and culture journal – Cayman Compass 09/10/2016

Young at Arts performers stage ‘Isabel’ – Cayman Compass 28/07/2016

Extra ‘Rundown’ performance to support cast member – Cayman Compass 03/06/2016

Run down to Harquail for comedy revue – Cayman Compass 16/05/2016

Auditions open for Summer Arts Intensive – Cayman Compass 13/05/2016

Cultural grants announced – Cayman Compass 24/04/2016

Competition to mark Harquail anniversary draws in youngsters – Cayman Compass 14/04/2016

Culture Honours for Sister Islands – Cayman Compass 01/03/2016

Cayfest 2016: Artistic Delights – Cayman Compass 19/02/2016 

2015 News

‘Aunt Julia’ Hydes passes away at 106 – Cayman Compass 01/12/2015

CNCF’s 3 for 30 celebratory series ends – Cayman News Service 30/11/2015

Aunt Julia dies aged 106 – Cayman News Service 30/11/2015

Registration open for Intro to Filmmaking workshops – iEyenews  30/09/2015

Gimistory cancelled for 2015 – Cayman Compass 20/10/2015

The F.J. Harquail Centre: 30 years of making culture count – Cayman Compass 30/10/2015

Theatre fans in for a rare treat – Cayman Compass 30/10/2015

New members for folk singers – Cayman Compass 01/10/2015

Young filmmakers take in NY – Cayman News Service 23/09/2015

YIM winners return from NY film camp – Cayman 27 23/09/2015

CNCF seeks folk singers, musicians – Cayman 27 07/09/2015

Cayman Islands Folk Singers looking for new members – Cayman Compass 07/09/2015

National Arts & Culture Awards nominations – Cayman 27 07/09/2015

Cayman Islands on Carifesta XII – Caricom Today 30/08/2015

Children learn seafaring heritage at CNCF Summer Arts Camp – Cayman 27 25/08/2015

Artist nurtures his talent during Jersey residency – Cayman Compass 24/07/2015

CNCF internship programme – Cayman 27 23/07/2015

‘All Access’ goes behind the scenes… – Cayman Compass 10/07/2015

Miss Lassie’s House gets minor repairs – Cayman 27 11/07/2015

Deadline looms for Arts Grants Applications – Cayman 27 07/07/2015

Young Film makers on the red carpet – Cayman Compass 03/07/2015

YIM winners heading of to New York Film Academy – CITN 02/07/2015

Ideas for Summer teen activities – Cayman Compass 26/06/2015

Budding Directors will get to see their movies on a big screen – Daybreak 18/6/2015

Lights, camera action for Cayfilm Film Fest – Cayman Compass 19/06/2015

Cayman film festival ready for debut – Cayman Compass 05/06/2015

CNCF offers local artists grants – Cayman Reporter 05/06/15

Rundown flies up to the Brac with CAL – 01/06/2015

Cultural Foundation announces grant recipients – Cayman Compass 01/06/2015

Help for aspiring artists – Daybreak 03/06/2015

Public asked to pick favourite filmmaker – Cayman News Service 20/05/2015

YIM People’s Choice Now Open – CITN – 19/05/2015

Rundown lives up to its reputation – Cayman Compass 15/05/15

Rundown 2015: A chance to laugh at it all – Cayman Reporter 15/5/2015

YIM People’s Choice now open  – Cayman 27 19/5/2015

It’s Young Image Makers voting time – Daybreak 13/05/2015

Rundown – A lighthearted look at life – What’s Hot Magazine 05/05/15

Rundown is back – Daybreak 6/05/15

The return of Rundown – Cayman Reporter 01/05/15

Festivals & Events: Rundown – CIDOT’s SOUL E-Magazine May 2015

CNCF seeks applications for Grants – 30/04/15

Appleby selects local charities – Cayman Compass 29/04/15

Rundown stirs issues – Cayman 27 27/04/15

CNCF Young at Arts Auditions coming up – Cayman 27 23/04/2015

CNCF celebrates Earth Day with tree planting – Cayman 27 22/4/2015

Raising funds for Folk Music – Cayman Reporter 03/04/15

Tiny-tots and grown ups dress for culture – CNS 02/04/15

Cayman to join international poetry celebrations – CNS 26/03/15

John Gray’s Recycled tree wins prize – Cayman Compass 25/03/15

Cayman to celebrate World Poetry Day – Cayman Reporter 20/3/2015

Appreciation for poets encouraged – Cayman Compass 20/3/15

CNCF celebrates world poetry day – Cayman 27 20/3/2015

Poetry Is An Island screening on World Poetry Day – Daybreak 17/3/2015

Cayman educators help launch television star’s rise to fame – Cayman Compass 6/3/15

Celebrating Cayman’s Culture with Cayfest – Cayman Compass 20/2/2015

Red Sky at Night tickets available now – Daybreak 19/2/2015

Dress For Culture Day To boost Youth Programmes – Cayman Compass 16/2/2015

A Special Tradition CNCF’s Dress For Culture Day – Cayman Reporter 11/2/2015

Young Image Makers Deadline extended – Cayman 27 09/02/15

CNCF encouraging students to decorate trees for Red Sky – Cayman 27 6/2/2015

Show pride by dressing in cultural attire – Cayman 27 27/01/15

Young Image Makers accepting registrants for competition – Daybreak 15/01/15

Calendar of Events: Cayfest & Mind’s Eye Tour – CIDOT’s SOUL E-Magazine January