Kingston Creative is encouraging companies and the general public to donate J$30 million to fund its ‘Adopt A Block’ project, which forms part of phase two of the downtown Kingston transformation.

Peter Goldson, board director of Kingston Creative, praised the 61 sponsors who had in years past, contributed J$1 million or more to the Harbour Street-based organisation at the press launch last Wednesday (July 24).

There is now a donor mural showing intertwined trees, with plaques shaped in leaves in their honour.  

Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby, praised the Jamaican artists who contributed to beautifying Water Lane and stated that he was pleased with the partnership, following the execution of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (SAMC) and Kingston Creative in July 2023 which governs the development of the art district.  

In addition to the 111 murals already developed by Kingston Creative, this second phase of development will see the installation of shading, benches, plants, lighting, bins and signage on each block, creating a unique and functional cultural tourism destination in Water Lane in 2025.

At the event, three major companies made a public commitment to support the project, pledging a total of J$9 million on the spot.

Charmaine Daniels, executive director of the Digicel Foundation described the partnership with Kingston Creative in developing murals in Downtown Kingston communities and pledged J3 million to the project.  

Bruce Scott, territory leader at PwC spoke next, pledging $J3 million and explaining that PwC was founded in 1916 on Duke Street and is committed to the development of the old city.

Finally, Tiffany Wong, marketing manager of National Baking Company came to the podium and pledged J$3 million and a mural for Water Lane.

The Downtown Kingston Transformation Programme is built around “creative placemaking”. This strategy of urban renewal is a process employed in various cities around the world to spark positive change and encourage the development of safe, revitalised urban spaces. This programme encourages the public and corporates, particularly those in Downtown, to come forward and support the revitalisation of Water Lane.

Andrea Dempster Chung, executive director of Kingston Creative, stated, “We want people to feel that they are able to make a difference in their city”.

“This project brings growth in cultural tourism and visitor arrivals, increased spend in hotels, increased entertainment spend, an improvement in Brand Jamaica as well as long term, increased community income generation and safety in downtown. Small businesses in downtown really benefit from the investment and so we encourage everyone to give what they can to help us to get to the target of $30 million by September 2024,” she explained further.

Companies interested in becoming partners can send an email to [email protected] to find out how to donate tax-free to the local charity.  Members of the public are also encouraged to become donors, via Paypal or direct bank transfer by visiting www.kingstoncreative.org/donate and completing the pledge form. Kingston Creative is also listed on the American Friends of Jamaica website under ‘Choose A Cause’ where tax-free donations from Diaspora members are welcomed.

This strategy of urban renewal is the foundation of a strategy charted by Kingston Creative to encourage the sustainable development of downtown Kingston and won Kingston the designation of Best Creative Destination in the World (2023) out of 152 applicants.  

The regeneration of Kingston as an art district is becoming a reality thanks to the support of generous individuals, and the network of public-private partnerships brokered by the nonprofit charity organisation, Kingston Creative.