Dr Katherine A. Smith appointed Director of Culture
The appointment was made by His Excellency the Governor, Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert, in accordance with section 92 of the Virgin Islands Constitution, and in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission, a press release from the Department of Information and Public Affairs on November 29, 2019 stated.
Reform strategy
It said Dr Smith will manage the department’s annual budget and develop and present a reform strategy for the modernisation of the department in line with successful industry models, to streamline and improve its internal processes.
Dr Smith, the daughter of former Premier Dr D. Orlando Smith, OBE, has a Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate in History from Queen’s University and Howard University respectively, and has addressed various events around the region related to history, heritage and culture.
She was the Acting Director in Virgin Islands Studies, and Professor in the Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Communications at HLSCC from 2008 to 2018.
Additional responsibilities
As the Director of Culture, Dr Smith’s responsibilities also include leading the cultural initiatives of the Territory, as well as managing the department’s operations. She will recommend changes to policies, legislation and service delivery that would enhance the functioning of the department; and coordinate activities with other departments and outside agencies as necessary in order to contribute to the effective management of the department.
It was on November 2, 2019 that Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Sports, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) had noted that a new Director of Culture was soon to be named.
Dr Wheatley had also said one of the first things he will ask the new Director of Culture to do is to review the school curriculum, “and to review the school activities in combination with my abled, Chief Education Officer, to make sure that our culture, our heritage, and our traditions are being taught in our institutions.”
Meanwhile, Ms Anne A. Lennard holds the position of Deputy Director of Culture.
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23 Responses to “Dr Katherine A. Smith appointed Director of Culture”
Everything points to a good appointment choice.
Best of luck Ms Smith.
BVI culture is her passion.She has made its preservation her life's purpose.