Despite the prevailing challenges, JCDC still connects with and provide support to the cultural instinct in all Jamaicans. The Jamaica Development Commission (JCDC) will proceed with the National Festival of the Performing Arts competitions for 2026.
For 2026 however, the format of the workshops and the actual competition has been adjusted to facilitate the participation of those most affected – from Western Jamaica.
THE CHANGES
1. Parish Auditions will take place in the virtual space (as was done during covid-19).
2. Parish Finals – you will be advised how that will be conducted no later than January 31, 2026.
3. National Finals will take place as usual, Face-to-Face at the Little Theatre in Kingston.
DATES The dates for all levels of the competition are as follows:
Close of entries:
Thursday January 15, 2026
Parish Auditions: February 2 – 20, 2026
Parish Finals: March 2 – 27, 2026
National Finals: April 15 – May 15, 2026
FORMAT OF THE COMPETITION
For 2026 year, parish auditions will again be in a virtual mode. The competitors are required to upload a video of their recorded performance/presentation to the JCDC Awards Force platform. Competitors must simultaneously complete the requisite entry forms on the JCDC Awards Force platform for assessment. By the end of December 2025, a video titled “JCDC FESTIVAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS – THE FORMAT FOR 2026” demonstrating how to enter and upload the performance videos will be available to the public.
The adjudication process will neither be streamed nor recorded. At the end of each competition day, the scores will be made available on the Awards Force platform. An adjudication schedule will be available for participants to track their entry. The change in modality of entering will NOT impact the adjudication rubric. Entries, for parish auditions, will be judged using the same scoring rubric as that which has been used in 2025. For those who have already submitted entries, competitors will be allowed to upload a video of performances to complete the entry process.
NB: ENTRIES ARE NOT CONSIDERED TO BE COMPLETED UNTIL THE VIDEO IS ATTACHED AND SUBMITTED.
WORKSHOPS
Virtual workshops will be conducted from January 6 – 14, 2026. A schedule and link for joining will be available soon. Questions on the entry process should be sent to the organisers by email:
Speech – speech@jcdc.gov.jm
Music – music@jcdc.gov.jm
Dance – dance@jcdc.gov.jm
Drama – drama@jcdc.gov.jm
Traditional Folk Forms – tradfolk@jcdc.gov.jm
– Anthea McGibbon, Site owner
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