Let’s ACT programme final showcase took place at Belair Community Centre last Thursday. Various organisations held presentations on cultural heritage, projects and recycled plastics.
CAY HILL--More than sixty people attended the final showcase of the Let’s ACT programme at Belair Community Centre on Thursday, October 15, where nine local organisations presented the results of two years of cultural, artistic and heritage projects.
The programme was organised by the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF) and Foresee Foundation (4C), in partnership with CEDE Aruba and with funding from the “Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie” (FCP) in the Netherlands. It supported local organisations in developing projects aimed at making arts, culture and heritage more accessible to the community.
Hosted by MCs Melanie Choisy and Kevin Petrona, the programme opened with the St. Maarten Song. SMDF Director Makhicia Brooks said the programme had introduced the organisation to new ground and highlighted the importance of investing in local talent and cultural knowledge.
In her welcome address on behalf of the organisers, Brooks said that building the programme with CEDE Aruba and Foresee showed how much these spaces give the community.
“Let’s ACT was designed to bring arts, culture, and heritage closer to people who don’t always have access to the beauty of us,” Brooks said. She cited projects that allowed participants to explore traditional clothing, theatre and pottery, adding that local talent and knowledge were already present on the island.
Brooks also stressed that materials, transportation and the work of those sharing their skills came at a cost. She encouraged guests to recognise and support the participating organisations.
Koert Kerkhoff of the Department of Culture thanked SMDF, Foresee Foundation and the participating organisations for their work. CEDE Aruba Director Daniel Tecklenborg also congratulated the participants in a video message and expressed his interest in continued cooperation.
The “Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie” sent a message from Utrecht, describing culture as a source of identity, belonging, creativity and community strength. The fund noted that the projects reflected local ideas, talent and ambitions.
The showcase featured presentations from the nine participating organisations, highlighting the range of projects carried out during the programme. The National Institute of Arts (NIA) reported that its Total Theatre project trained 95 participants, ranging from 6 to 80 years old, in dance, vocals, percussion and other performance skills. Nine teenagers who wanted to continue after the programme ended became junior teachers.
Menelik Arnell of Art Agency Foundation presented Hair Stories by True Roots, a project addressing hair discrimination and promoting pride in natural hair. Its workshops attracted 38 participants, and the initiative was later incorporated into broader cultural activities, including the AfroKarib Festival in June 2026.
The St. Maarten National Heritage Foundation and Museum presented its Tours of Culture project, which offered historic trolley rides through town and reached more than 100 people.
Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation screened an excerpt from its oral history documentary, Stories from the Heart, featuring seniors reflecting on life in earlier times. Partner organisation Les Fruits de Mer also presented a book developed from some of the stories collected through the project.
Fleur Hermanides, representing EPIC, presented its Perpetual Plastics project, with guests able to view recycled-plastic products and the recycling machine. The project also supplied the recycled-plastic pendants given to guests at the event.
Milton Peters College (MPC), working with NIA, offered ceramics and pottery workshops for youths and adults through its Break Free project. The initiative attracted 117 participants, and presenter Saskia Kliphuis said the aim was to develop a ceramics movement on the island.
The SXM Creatives Guild discussed its work to recruit members and build its foundation, while Let’s Talk Foundation co-founders Xhenji Wyatt and Darryl York reflected on their first Let’s ACT event, “Where Creativity Meets Economy”. Local artists Elona and Dr. Rum also shared their experiences of the project.
Students from the American University of the Caribbean, under the guidance of Dr. Natalie Humphrey, presented findings from the Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) community engagement research conducted with Howard University. The research helped participating organisations collect data and reflect on how they engage with their communities.
The S’Maatin National Cultural Parade Foundation closed the presentations with a skit highlighting traditional heritage, including donkey races, the Ponum dance and the music of Tanny and the Boys.
Foresee Foundation Co-Director Jose Sommers said the presentations represented only the visible part of two years of work, adding that the programme had also helped participating organisations strengthen their planning, financial management, communication and collaboration.
“That capacity stays on the island,” Sommers said, expressing hope that the work would provide a stronger foundation for future cultural participation on St. Maarten. Following the presentations and a group photograph, guests took part in the Let’s ACT Cultural Playground and dinner.
Activities included painting ceramic Christmas ornaments and viewing EPIC’s recycled-plastic products and machinery. The showcase marked the official close of the Let’s ACT programme on St. Maarten, although some project components are to be completed in the coming months.
