Kingston Creative: A Legacy of Transformation & Impact
Kingston Creative, a Jamaican arts non-governmental organization (NGO), has been a staunch advocate for the country’s artists, creatives, and cultural practitioners. Over the past eight years, the organization has spearheaded efforts to transform Downtown Kingston into a world-class Art District, serving as a hub for the arts, innovation, and the growth of the creative economy.
Renowned globally as a cultural superpower, Jamaica boasts an abundance of innate talent. Kingston Creative’s mission is to harness this talent and convert it into sustainable social and economic development, benefitting creatives and the country at large. Their strategy focuses on fostering partnerships and cultivating a thriving ecosystem where creative entrepreneurs and their businesses can flourish.
Through intentional action and a collaborative approach, Kingston Creative is paving the way for a vibrant and prosperous future for young creatives in Jamaica. As Kingston Creative celebrates its eight year anniversary in February 2025, from global collaborations to award-winning projects, here are eight standout moments in the organization’s journey.
#1 The Artwalk Festival (2018) ~ Public Arts Festival in Downtown Kingston
Patrons at the Kingston Creative Artwalk Festival Photo credit: Kingston Creative
Conceptualised as a free walk from the street art hub at Water Lane to various cultural spaces across Downtown Kingston, the monthly Artwalk Festival was launched in April 2018 and this event has become a cornerstone of Kingston’s cultural landscape. Over the years, Kingston Creative has collaborated with numerous artists and arts institutions on the festival, including the National Gallery of Jamaica, the National museum, Simon Bolivar centre, CreativSpace Art Gallery, Liberty Hall, the Jamaica Conference Centre and more. The festival has attracted thousands of visitors to Downtown Kingston and provided a platform for artists, musicians, and performers to showcase their talents. Over the 81 editions, artisans and performing artists have been able to earn significant income from the sales of their creative products and services. The main impact is the reduction in stigma associated with Downtown Kingston. It is now being viewed as a viable venue for events and night life.
#2 Paint the City (2018) ~ Developing an Art District
Jamaican Artists in Water Lane L-R Keddan Savage, Rupert Tomlinson, Delroy Millwood, Anthony Taoszen Smith, Dwayne Grant, Deon Simone, Nakeha Shepherd, Kamaal Manboard and Johnell Chambers. Photo credit: Kingston Creative
The street art gallery referred to colloquially as just ‘the Artwalk’ started in November 2018 when acclaimed Jamaican artist Bernard Hoyes painted his mural “Celebration” on the back of the Swiss Stores building in Water Lane. Over the years Kingston Creative has installed over 116 murals across Jamaica, from Black River to Downtown Kingston in partnership with the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Sherwin Williams and other partners. This initiative has brought together Jamaican artists and community members and catalyzed new income-earning opportunities for visual artists across the island. From a neglected back alley, Kingston now has an Art District. The rising popularity of murals has resulted in the development of a viable industry for artists who now are in demand to produce murals all over the country. One of the biggest impacts is the new visitor traffic to Water Lane, as tourists arrive in groups to see stunning murals that celebrate our rich cultural heritage.
#3 Kingston Creative Coworking Space (2020) ~ A Home For Creatives
The interior of the Kingston Creative Coworking Space, mural by artist Rebecca Levy. Photo credit: Kingston Creative
The Kingston Creative Coworking Space is a multipurpose arts venue located in Kingston’s historic Downtown Kingston business district at 107 Harbour Street, the intersection of Church Street and Water Lane. Founded in 2020 with the support of the Development Bank of Jamaica and the Tourism Enhancement Fund, it houses several creative businesses and serves as a home for a diverse community of artists and creatives.
An MTV Tiny Desk Concert, featuring recording artist Sevana, was filmed at the location and broadcast across the world. The space also boasts a podcast studio with lighting and recording equipment for rent. Kingston Creative offers wall space to feature rotating exhibitions by artists and also allocates free storefront space for artisans and makers. In addition, the space prioritizes nurturing the development of other arts organizations by offering its boardroom meeting space free of cost to various groups.
Over the years, this hub has played a crucial role in fostering innovation within Jamaica’s creative sector and has been home to hackathons, pitch competitions, incubators and accelerator programmes. The main impact of the coworking space is its function as a venue for creative events and as a content creation space which delivers across core sectors and catalyses innovation and growth.
#4 CREATECH (2021) ~ A 3-year Technology Collaboration with IDB Lab
The interior of the Kingston Creative Coworking Space, mural by artist Rebecca Levy. Photo credit: Kingston Creative
Kingston Creative partnered with the Inter-American Development Bank’s IDB Lab on a groundbreaking project to develop the local Creative ecosystem in Jamaica, thereby fostering creative entrepreneurship and innovation in the region. Winner of the IDB Excellence in Project Execution Award in 2023, the CREATECH programme benefitted over 1,500 creatives over three years, investing over $1.3 million USD in the sector. Createch equipped creative entrepreneurs with the platforms, business skills, funding, travel opportunities and mentorship needed to grow their businesses and contribute to Jamaica’s creative economy. The impact of Createch was a renewed awareness of the potential of MSME entrepreneurs within the cultural and creative industries to make a positive impact on the overall economy.
#5 Launched 2 New Digital Platforms for Creatives (2022)
Digital Platforms, Caribbean Creative network and the Kulcha Connect App . Photo credit: Kingston Creative
Kingston Creative has taken a major step toward empowering regional artists with the launch of the Caribbean Creative Network, a new digital platform of over 500 artists, aimed at fostering cross-border collaboration in the creative sector. The platform is accessible at Caribbean Creative Network, and seeks to bridge gaps in the visibility of artists across the Caribbean.
In addition, the organization has introduced the Kulcha Connect App (Kulcha Connect), an e-commerce platform designed to streamline cross-border payments for Jamaican artists, promote cultural tourism and increase the sales of cultural products and services. The app not only facilitates financial transactions but also showcases events by local creatives and offers guided tours of Downtown Kingston, further promoting the city’s rich cultural heritage.
#6 World’s Best Creative Destination (2023) ~ Global Tourism Award
Digital Platforms, Caribbean Creative network and the Kulcha Connect App . Photo credit: Kingston Creative
Downtown Kingston’s Art District earned global recognition in 2023, securing the title of “World’s Best Creative Destination”. The city was selected from a competitive field of 152 applications spanning 28 countries. The winning application was presented to Kingston Creative, highlighting the city’s dynamic arts and cultural scene. The prestigious award was officially handed over to Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett by Caroline Couret, director of the Creative Tourism Network, on behalf of the international selection committee during a ceremony in Berlin, Germany.
#7 Global Climate Change Project, ‘A Feral Commons’ (2022)
Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby, Artist Camille Chedda and project partners from the KSAMC, UDC, Gore Foundation, Digicel Foundation, iPrint Group and the Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN) in the Climate Change Art Park. Photo credit: Kingston Creative
Kingston Creative was a partner in “A Feral Commons”, a climate change arts initiative that leverages art, culture, and community engagement to address environmental challenges while fostering artists’ international collaboration. Through partnerships with organizations like the Global Cultural Districts Network and Alserkal Initiatives, the project has facilitated artistic exchanges between Kingston, Jamaica, Johannesburg, South Africa, and Dubai, UAE, creating opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue and creative innovation. These exchanges have not only expanded the global presence of Jamaican artists like Camille Chedda, but have also catalyzed international funding opportunities and strengthened cultural diplomacy efforts. Through programmes like this, Kingston Creative has sent over 10 artists abroad on travel grants to the UK, Germany, Haiti, Mexico, USA, Curacao, Colombia.
#8 Adopt-A-Block Crowdfunding Initiative (2024)
Project partners in Adopt A Block stand in Water Lane, including Digicel Foundation, Bank of Jamaica, PwC, Ministry of Culture, Barita Foundation, KSAMC, National Bakery Foundation, Gore Foundation. Photo credit: Kingston Creative
The Adopt A Block initiative is a ground-up crowdfunding initiative designed to reshape urban spaces in Kingston by enrolling public and private sector entities and the general public to contribute to developing a block of Downtown. The project is driven by partners like Barita, Digicel, PwC, Bank of Jamaica, VM Group, National Bakery, and Gore, to add essential infrastructure such as shade, solar lighting, recycling, seating, signage and security—elevating the city’s reputation as a global cultural destination and having a powerful economic impact.
Each of these eight milestones underscores Kingston Creative’s commitment to empowering artists, revitalizing urban spaces, and expanding Jamaica’s creative economy. By championing the cultural and creative industries, the organization is not only fostering local talent but also positioning Jamaica as a global leader in the sector. Looking ahead, Kingston Creative remains focused on its mission: leveraging art and culture as catalysts for sustainable economic growth and social transformation not only in the capital city of Kingston, but across the island.
Kingston Creative is a non-profit charity organization, funded by grants and donations. To support the work of Kingston Creative, please visit www.kingstoncreative.org/donate. If you are interested in supporting the artists and the transformation of Downtown, you can donate via PayPal, through AFJ or directly to Kingston Creative. On Pay Pal you can set up a monthly recurring or one-time payment to support the cause. American Friends of Jamaica is a registered 501(c) 3 tax exempt organisation in the USA and US residents can donate through them to receive a tax exemption. Jamaicans can also donate tax free directly to Kingston Creative as they are a registered charity organisation. For more information, please call (876) 546-6943 or email [email protected].