Before the pandemic, I hosted regular Chat & Chew sessions with various members of the community to provide an opportunity to engage with members of our community, promote a deeper understanding of the Government’s plans and initiatives, and it served as a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas. Today, I resumed these sessions, starting off with a diverse group of creatives in Bermuda featuring @DionTheCreative , Dejavon Paynter, @superryassine, Courtney Clay, Jasmine Lee, Jordan Carey, Keile Rabain and Shanna Hollis. The focus of today’s Chat & Chew was ‘What are the @BdaGovernment's plans to support creatives?’ and I was pleased to be joined by @OKDarrell , Minister of Youth, Culture & Sport, MP Kim Swan, Junior Minister of Youth, Culture & Sport and Kim Dismont-Robinson, Director of the Department of Culture. Keile Rabain perfectly summed up the common issue amongst the group - “separating where we lay our heads and where we are creating”. The group stressed their desire to have a dedicated space to nurture their artistic endeavours in order to provide a sense of focus, inspiration and opportunities to collaborate. I also listened to concerns and suggestions regarding opportunities for the government to commission art, initiatives that could help support them financially and ways to increase their value and visibility to the wider public. Today was an opportunity to listen and learn, so I’m grateful for their honesty and I am encouraged to support looking into these particular matters. Hearing first-hand from our local creatives what’s important to them is vital in shaping the future of Bermuda’s creative community - grateful for the opportunity to engage!