Cabinet Approves $2.3 Million For Unsponsored Steelbands Ahead Of Panorama 2026
Cabinet has approved $2.3 million in funding for unsponsored steelbands.
This, according to Minister of Culture and Community Development, Michelle Benjamin who said the funding will ensure communities have the resources needed to showcase their talent at major competitions on this country’s Carnival calendar.
« This financial assistance will provide $20,000 to each conventional steelband and $10,000 to each single band enabling them to undertake essential activities from chroming of the pans, repairing, purchasing new instruments and, of course, undertaking transportation costs. These grants will benefit steelbands across all regions from east, north, south, central and, of course, Tobago, ensuring that our communities have the resources they need to showcase our national instrument on the greatest stage our cultural calendar presents, our Carnival. This government remains firmly committed to preserving and promoting the steelpan as a cornerstone of our cultural identity, our national heritage. These unsponsored steelbands, they perform duties that sometimes goes unsupported and unannounced. Hence the government took this decision to continue grant support to this organisation. »
