By Foresee Foundation
A wave of artistic and cultural activity is planned for St. Maarten with the Let’s ACT Program – a joint initiative by the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF) and Foresee Foundation (4C). Backed by more than half a million guilders from the Dutch Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie (FCP), this program will strengthen the island’s creative scene while offering tangible social benefits.
Let’s ACT isn’t just about art, it’s about access, equity, and empowerment. From pottery and drama to historical storytelling and dance, the program offers free, community-based activities led by local organizations. These projects won’t just entertain; they will educate, connect and create space for dialogue.
Nine projects with nearly double the number of organizations have been selected to drive these efforts, and their missions are as diverse as the island itself.
National Institute of Arts (NIA) will focus on the performing and visual arts, providing training and development opportunities. Let’s Talk Art Foundation, for example, celebrates local artists by creating space for expression and dialogue. Their platform will be expanded through Let’s ACT to reach more audiences and support more creators.
St. Maarten National Heritage Foundation and Museum will deepen its mission to preserve and share the island’s rich history through workshops and community events, working with schools in Philipsburg. Meanwhile, Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation has teamed up with Les Fruits de Mer to record the stories of the elderly and publish them.
For seniors, the Home Away From Home Foundation, Senior Citizens Recreational Foundation and Sint Maarten National Cultural Parade (SMNCP) will be engaged in a number of these projects as participants and contributors.
Some initiatives zero in on pressing societal issues. Hair Stories by True Roots in collaboration with the Art Agency Foundation, for example, uses art and dialogue to challenge discrimination and celebrate cultural identity. EPIC (Environmental Protection in the Caribbean) is tackling plastic waste through recycling and education transforming trash into usable, even beautiful, products.
Youth empowerment is front and centre, too, with SVOBE’s Break Free Ceramic Movement to guide vulnerable teens through ceramics and dance workshops, blending skill-building with emotional growth.
A notable element of Let’s ACT is the formal support of two key local platforms – the Creative Guild and Let’s Talk Art. Both will be developed further to serve as unifying networks for the island’s creative sector.
The program was designed with insight into the needs of the non-profit sector. In May 2024, more than 50 cultural groups from both St. Maarten and Aruba participated in a needs-based survey. Their voices shaped the framework of Let’s ACT, ensuring the funding responds to real gaps and goals within the community.
At its core, Let’s ACT is more than a grant program. It’s a commitment to build a cultural infrastructure that’s inclusive, impactful and sustainable.
