The Caribbean Academy of Sciences

 in Collaboration with 

the Tobago House of Assembly

Presents the

25 Anniversary Celebrations

19th General Meeting

and Biennial Conference

at the Magdalena Grand Beach Resort

21-23 November, 2014

Tobago, W.I.

Conference Theme:

“Harnessing Science and Technology to Create Knowledge-Based Economies and Preserve Caribbean Ecosystems.”

Paper Title: 

 Validation of Caribbean Dance as a Marketable Item: The Economics of Cultural Ecology around the Public Education System in Trinidad and Tobago.

By

Jorge Luis Morejon

Abstract:Cultural ecology is an important concept in analyzing the value of Dance Arts in the Caribbean. Dance can be looked at from several positions: economic, therapeutic and aesthetic. Yet, Dance Arts could be seen as a cultural manifestation with limited market value. Its therapeutic value is practically unknown. In terms of economics, it is generally believed that dance is an art form which value relays on the trade or sales generated around the dance event. However, these believes ignore the relationship between dance and concepts such as use, exchange, instrumental and inherent values. Dance, considered an economically limited art form, needs to be positioned within the emerging global economic structures. Its conceptualization as a cultural model for Caribbean sustenance may prevent the current invasion of foreign cultural influences. Concepts such as investment value and rates of return are discussed to illustrate the marketing importance of dance in reference to the economics of cultural ecology around the Public Education System in Trinidad and Tobago. New understanding of the neuroscientific data related to the role of dance in developing learning structures and brain capacities, contributes to acceptance of dance’s potential to become an important knowledge-based market item.