About the Rex Nettleford Arts Conference

The Rex Nettleford Arts Conference (RNAC) was first staged in 2011 to honour the life, academic and cultural legacy of Professor Rex Nettleford, one of Jamaica’s most distinguished cultural theorists, academics, and advocates for Caribbean identity.
Held every two years by the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA), RNAC has become the premier regional forum for arts, culture, and research, bringing together local and international voices in dialogue and creative exploration.

The Conference convenes an international, interdisciplinary community of scholars, artists, educators, policymakers, and practitioners to share knowledge, experiences, and their findings across the creative industries—particularly in dance, drama, visual arts, music, and other expressive forms.

RNAC 2025, under the theme “Inward Stretch, Outward Reach – Arts, Culture and the (Re)Imagining of Our Humanism,” promises a rich programme of plenary sessions, panels, workshops, exhibitions, performances, a Caribbean Festival and a Grand Market.

Our Mission

The Rex Nettleford Arts Conference (RNAC) seeks to:

• • Shape the future of arts scholarship through collaborative research and dialogue.
  • Support Caribbean youth in launching creative careers with insights from industry leaders.
  • Connect, collaborate, and catalyse innovation within the regional arts ecosystem.
  • Invest in the cultural development of the Caribbean while expanding EMCVPA’s reach and impact.
  • Invite the general public to experience the pulse of Caribbean arts and culture.

Our Goals

• • To forge connections and uncover parallels that challenge stereotypes and limitations surrounding the arts.
  • To cultivate the arts through open discourse among artists, policymakers, academics, media, students, and the business sector.
  • To foster a deeper appreciation for the arts and elevate awareness of their intrinsic value to society.

Let’s explore together how the arts can transform society, promoting understanding, tolerance, and social cohesion, while reducing discrimination and encouraging a deeper respect for diversity.