And, in the aftermath of Mr. Program's death, there seemed to be social media backlash against both the National Institute of Culture and History and the Music Ambassador for their alleged lack of support of local artists like Mr. Program.
It's a notion that Minister of Culture Patrick Faber outrightly rejected today, telling the media that artists must take advantage of what N.I.C.H. has to offer and that he, himself had encouraged Mr. Program to apply to The Cultural Development Fund.
Hon. Patrick Faber, UDP Leader-Elect
"NICH has develop the culture fund and entities. In fact I will tell you this, I met Program a few weeks ago in OJ Elrington's office back on whichever street that is and he and I spoke and I told him, I said why haven't you applied. So if the artist don't take advantage of what NICH offer, there have been cases, there have been times when other musicians, I remember the Garifuna Collective when we gave them them that award. Again, that is something that is proof that we don't neglect our artist.'
N.I.C.H. has pledged the use of the Bliss Center for a benefit concert in Mr. Program's name and put $3,200.00 towards his funeral expenses.
Faber also reminded the public that N.I.C.H.'s revenue has flatlined in recent months due to COVID, with the department's remaining workers taking a 50% salary cut.
