Gov’t to build three more free, public studios for Guyanese artistes

Plans are afoot to construct three additional state-of-the-art recording studios, which will be free of cost for local artistes to use.

According to information released by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, these new studies will be built in designated areas in Regions 2, 3, and 10. One similar studio has already been constructed in Region 6; it is currently in the contracting process before it becomes operational.

Subject Minister Charles Ramson explained that the investment in these studios will improve the sound quality of locally produced music.

The Ministry’s goal is to give musically gifted Guyanese the support to  explore, advance and develop their craft.

“The environment or infrastructure is not enough, you [have to] do it consistently, there is a lot of backroom work that goes into the development so that you get a good outcome, the Ministry is providing that,” Ramson stated while speaking at a year-end press conference at the weekend.

He reminded that in 2024 workshops were held to ensure Guyanese artistes  improve their craft. These workshops were conducted by experienced overseas musicians with lessons on stagecraft and performance, music production, audio engineering and song writing.

This was backed by investments made by the Ministry into some ‘bottom house’ studios. Singers at the ground level were able to record and produce their music at these facilities instead of having to pay $40 to $60 to record music in a private studio.

Guyana’s music is being played across the Caribbean and other North American and European destinations with the most popular genre to date being chutney. Artists like Samuel Medas and Calvin Burnette are also making waves with their music and are recognized and awarded internationally including being mentioned on the Caribbean’s Top Ten List.

Ramson describes Guyana’s music industry as being on a transformative uprise. He recognised that in the past it was linear and somewhat stagnant.