Investing in the Arts as Economic Policy

 Andre Henry passed away peacefully Thursday, February 12, 2026 at Toronto General Hospital, surrounded by family and friends, following complications from emergency surgery.

Andre cherished his friendships and the meaningful connections he built throughout his life. He was always ready with a warm smile, a helping hand, or a thoughtful word, and he had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel seen and valued.

The Economic Value of Arts and Culture

Globally, cultural tourism represents one of the fastest-growing sectors of the travel industry. Studies by international tourism organizations estimate that roughly 40 percent of global tourism activity involves cultural experiences, including museums, heritage sites, festivals, music, and the performing arts.
In destinations where tourism dominates the economy, these cultural experiences become powerful economic multipliers. Visitors who engage with arts and heritage tend to:

Tourism has long been the economic backbone of Antigua and Barbuda, contributing more than half of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and supporting a significant share of national employment. Visitors are often drawn first by the island’s famous beaches and warm climate, but the experiences that truly define a destination—and encourage travelers to stay longer or return—are rooted in culture, history, and the arts.

One of the most fascinating everyday sights in Antigua and Barbuda is the small herds of goats that wander freely through villages, hillsides, and even along roads during the day—only to return home on their own each afternoon.

For visitors, this daily routine can appear almost unbelievable: goats moving calmly through the landscape without fences, herders, or supervision, yet reliably finding their way back to their owners around 4:00 p.m. each day.

Historian Natasha Lightfoot is gaining international recognition for her groundbreaking research on slavery, emancipation, and Black identity in the Caribbean. As an associate professor specializing in Caribbean and Atlantic World history, Lightfoot’s work focuses on how formerly enslaved people shaped their lives and communities after the end of slavery in the British Empire.

Coming up on its 20th anniversary we salute the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium

Rising from the green expanses of North Sound, the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium is more than just a feat of modern engineering; it is a symbol of Antiguan pride and the evolution of a sporting nation. Built in 2006 to usher in the 2007 Cricket World Cup, the stadium represented a passing of the torch from the historic, downtown energy of the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) to a new era of global infrastructure.

The Vision of North Sound

Dear Nationals and Friends,
It is with mixed emotions that I write to inform you that my time as Vice-Consul of Antigua and Barbuda in Toronto will conclude on Sunday, 24 August 2025. After almost 10 years in this wonderful city, the time has come for me to return to Antigua.

Leading the way: Young women at the forefront of conservation efforts in Antigua and Barbuda