St. George’s, November 27, 2009 (GIS) – The Grenada Government wants to give more prominence to visual art, which it describes as a crucial part of the nation’s cultural industry. In this connection, Senator Arley Gill will be holding discussions with artists nationwide to solicit their views on a draft visual arts policy. The policy, examined at a meeting earlier this week between Mr. Gill and several artists, is aimed at strengthening Grenada’s visual art product, the Senator said. Mr. Gill, the Minister responsible for Culture and Information, said linking visual arts with tourism could help enhance Grenada’s foreign exchange earnings. “Culture in this country cannot move forward without the visual arts,’’ Senator Gill told the Government Information Service. “Visual arts are such a crucial component to what we do. We are a visual people and it’s extremely important that we develop a roadmap as to how we can take this very important sector forward.’’ Minister Gill said the plan includes a vision for training and harnessing the “raw talent that is available in abundance across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.’’ Artist Dr. Oliver Benoit, who attended the meeting with Senator Gill, said that among the things needed in Grenada is a national gallery to display works of art. “We’re also interested in building an institution that would support artists not only in Grenada but abroad,’’ Dr. Benoit said. “One of the activities we’re thinking of engaging in is having art on the airport. When visitors come into the country, they’ll be able to see what Grenada has to offer as regard to its creativity, its artists.’’ "During the planned series of countrywide meetings, artists will make suggestions for improving the draft visual arts policy, Dr. Benoit said. “We’d like to expose it to more stakeholders so they can input into it, strengthen areas that they think are weak and move it forward,’’ he said. “Hopefully, we’ll see an arts policy adopted in Grenada in the coming year, and make Grenada what it’s supposed to be where art is concerned.’’ At the end of the period of discussions with visual artists, the draft policy will be presented to Cabinet for approval and then tabled in Parliament.