The Tribune

THIS week, The Tribune is inviting a series of guest editorial writers to answer a single question - "What is one thing you would change?". Today's contributor is Amanda Coulson, executive director of the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (2011-2021); and founding director of TERN Gallery. Readers are invited to send their own suggestions to letters@tribunemedia.net.

Living in The Bahamas, a young country with still much growing to undergo, many of us citizens have a long list of things we would change, covering a broad range of topics. I was invited to share my thoughts based on my expertise, however, which is in the arts, and while I also have a very long list on this topic—from a network of museums for music history, food history, Junkanoo, applied and fine arts, to better educational access and equipment from K1-12 to the abolition of import duty on both art supplies and artworks— I will wrap my general comments under this campaign:

“Making history and aesthetics part of the national vision.”

Let me be clear: this isn’t merely about beauty, it encompasses national pride, health, wellness, and security. There are ample global studies that show —through data and statistics —that well-maintained, beautiful areas and the inclusion of arts into school curricula, work life, even prisons, leads to better health, both physical and mental, less crime, less recidivism, less depression, more business opportunities, increased economic possibilities and increased spending. People work better when they are surrounded by beauty, there is less corruption, petty theft and more pride, care, and productivity. That is, healthier societies in every way.

I would advocate for the following, starting with Downtown Nassau — our capital city — and the island of New Providence, but certainly fanning out to all Family Islands and settlements:

A thoughtful and comprehensive plan for wayfinding around our islands and cities that is both helpful and beautiful; not the usual plethora of badly-designed signs, installed on a whim, but a national scheme that helps citizens and visitors.

An intentional system for signage on Bay Street, Rawson Square and the historic Over-the-Hill community that combines design and history (if Marina Village and the Cruise Port can do it, why can’t we?)

Ban on foreign imports in our straw market (this may appear off-topic, but our native straw is simply the most beautiful!).

The rebirth of our botanical gardens with more information on native flora and fauna.

Well-maintained public systems, such as functioning, clean and unbroken sidewalks, lined with shrubs and trees for shade and beauty, benches and gathering areas.

An attractive and timely bus service to connect these areas and reduce congestion and traffic (cutting down on emissions, which has health benefits).

More creative public monuments: not generic shells and birds or busts to score political points, but monuments that would galvanise the public around a national vision and that uplift and enhance the communities. (Why not use the empty Columbus plinth for a rotating art project, illustrating important historical events and groups — the Taino, Pompey’s rebellion, the throwing of the mace — which could then be moved to the botanical gardens?)

Extensive public murals that brand different places, historic areas and islands, creating sites of interest and edification, teaching our history for both the general populace and any visitors.

A rigorous and intentional public ad campaign that uplifts our successful arts and culture professionals, as we do our politicians and athletes.

Excellent maintenance for historic buildings with a system — akin to the Blue Plaques on historic homes in the UK — that explain their significance and history.

Controlled and organized advertising signage that is planned and considered, not a hodge-podge of homemade signs elbowing each other for attention. One thinks of illuminated bus stop ads in other cities that also create safe spaces and coverage from heat/rain.

The same attention and care as paid to the hotels in the landscaping and garbage collection in every community and neighbourhood across the archipelago, with parks and benches, regularly monitored and maintained recreational areas and garbage collection.

Garbage cans — beautiful, aesthetic and frequently emptied — garbage cans.

Fines and penalties for incorrect disposal of garbage dumping.

Did I mention garbage cans/collection?

This may seem “surface” oriented. People will ask: “Why beauty, history or culture before ‘Insert Your Burning Issue Here’?” but I strongly believe that if we care about art and our history, if we beautify our surroundings, and we learn to take care for and pay attention to them, this translates into a society which is kind and caring, healthy, and fruitful. And isn’t that The Bahamas we all want to live in?

• Amanda Coulson is a Bahamian who has worked for three decades as a scholar, critic, curator and cultural producer on both sides of the Atlantic, having collaborated with artists and institutions, private and corporate colleagues, in the US, Europe, and various sites in the Caribbean. In 2005, co-founded the VOLTA art fairs, which takes place annually in New York and Basel. In 2011, she returned to her home in The Bahamas to take up the position of Executive Director at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB), where her focus was on increasing international awareness of the contemporary Caribbean art scene and on expanding the capacity and reach of the NAGB through a rigorous combination of capital works, collaborative projects and the building of strong inter-island and international networks. She served on the Davidoff Art Initiative (now the Caribbean Art Initiative) Board from 2012-2018, and served on the Board of the Museums Association of the Caribbean (MAC) until she stepped down from the NAGB, after a decade at the helm. She is the founding partner at TERN, a new Nassau-based gallery operated by three Caribbean women whose aim is to support Bahamian and Caribbean artists in telling their own stories on the global stage.