PHILIPSBURG:---  The Where Culture Lives (WCL) project is proud to announce the launch of the WCL Artist Prize, a special opportunity for artists and creatives in Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten to share their interpretation of where and how culture lives in their communities.
Starting Monday, 23rd February 2026, artists from all disciplines are invited to submit original work that captures the essence of cultural heritage on their island. The prize welcomes submissions in all art forms: visual arts, music, performance, dance, literature & poetry, film, culinary arts, photography, and digital media.
"Our culture and heritage are felt, not only in museums but also in our streets, kitchens, festivals, and in our everyday experiences as Caribbean people," says Jorien Wuite, Principal coordinator and Director of Lemonade BV. "This prize gives meaning to the title of our project and is an invitation for artists to show us, in their own artistic language, where culture truly lives on their island."

Independent of research findings from the WCL project, the artistic works constitute a parallel knowledge stream seeking to document cultural life; the everyday places, traditions, and stories rooted in local experience and creative practice on each island. The work may also connect the past with the present or speak to the struggles and strengths and what it means to belong in the community. Most importantly, the prize seeks artistic expression that others in the community will recognize and resonate with.
As also discussed and agreed with the Ministry of OCW, the research & project team (Ludmila Duncan, Gregory Richardson, Elton Villareal, and Jorien Wuite) believes that the inclusion of the prize is important now. The team believes that it supports participation & relevance and will support a richer interpretive landscape when research findings are discussed during the Validation sessions scheduled on all islands for the second half of April. With this initiative, the team aims to bridge research & community and build on multi-layered insights that combine research, dialogue, and artistic expression.
The project hopes that this initiative will further increase the visibility of artists and creatives in the (Dutch) Caribbean, observe the representation of their island culture, and emphasize a place in a wider cultural conversation and policy dialogue for the position and strengthening of the cultural sector. The project will award artists on each island with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes (500, $250, and $ 125) during the upcoming Validation sessions.
The submission process is simple and open to any artist based on one of the six Dutch Caribbean islands. Persons can submit original artistic work in any medium or format, including paintings, songs, poems, photographs, or videos. Submissions open on Monday, February 23rd, 2026, and close on Monday, March 25, 2026. To enter, artists are asked to simply email their work to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To artists, the project team notes, ‘when you submit your work, please include your name and which island you're from, along with the title of your work and what type of art it is. Write a short statement, add photos or any other attachments that explain what your work shows about "where culture lives" on your island. Send us your artwork as files or provide a link to where we can download it (WeTransfer and Google Drive links are accepted.) You will need to give us permission to use your work in WCL project outputs and provide your contact information so that we can reach you by email, phone, or WhatsApp.’
Artists may submit work in any language and are welcome to reach out with questions throughout the submission period via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The judging process will take place from March 26, 2026, with winners announced thereafter in April. Selected works will be featured in WCL project outputs and validation sessions, where they will contribute to important conversations about cultural policy and development across the islands.
The Where Culture Lives project was commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) in The Hague and on Bonaire (OCW and OCW-CG), and is managed by St. Maarten-based consultancy Lemonade B.V.

CCF invites individuals, organizations, and institutions to submit their cultural and creative projects. Selection will be based on respect for CCF’s values, alignment with the themes of each call, the quality and feasibility of proposals, and the proven abilities of project leaders. We invite applicants to write their projects simply and clearly, paying particular attention to the relationship between objectives and budget, and to consider implementation constraints.
For more information on the Caribbean Culture Fund and each call, visit our website: caribbeanculturefund.org
Call 4.1: Art for Change – Deadline March 1, 2026
CCF will award 10 grants of USD 10,000 for projects that demonstrate the use of arts and culture to catalyze change.
The Art for Change theme invites creatives and cultural organizations to explore the transformative power of art in shaping the Caribbean. We seek projects that give voice to the region’s aspirations, challenges, and triumphs, and that address the changes artists wish to see in their communities, nations, and the broader Caribbean. This theme encourages artists to imagine, critique, and reimagine the Caribbean, using their work as a catalyst for social commentary, engagement, education, reflection, positive change, and new developments. We welcome proposals that showcase innovative and impactful art practices, from visual arts to performance, literature, and beyond, that contribute to a vibrant and inclusive Caribbean narrative.
Call 4.2: Caribbean Collaboration – Deadline March 1, 2026
CCF will award 4 grants of USD 25,000 for projects that reflect or catalyze intra-regional cooperation and promote the arts across linguistic and geographic boundaries within the Caribbean and its diasporas.
This theme invites projects that reflect connections within the Caribbean community. Applicants must work with a collaborator based in another Caribbean country or territory, and this partner or partners must be meaningfully included in the design and implementation of the project. The project must be multi-country or multi-territory in scope and execution; for example, bringing the work of creatives from different countries to one or more countries. Projects that reflect connections to the larger African diaspora and the legacy of African and Indigenous cultures in the Caribbean will also be considered.
Call 5: Residencies and Fellowships – Deadline March 15, 2026
CCF will award 10 grants of USD 5,000 to support short-term, intra-Caribbean residencies and fellowships.
CCF invites cultural institutions and organizations with residential capacity to submit proposals for artist residencies and fellowships. The CCF grant must cover all costs, including visa, travel, accommodation, meals, and interpretation, for up to a maximum of two artists from any Caribbean country or territory other than that of the applicant. The residencies should foster creative exchange, collaboration, and innovation across diverse artistic disciplines and cultural contexts.
Through this call, CCF seeks to create meaningful opportunities for artistic growth, facilitate connections among artists, institutions, and communities, and strengthen the cultural and social ecosystem of the Caribbean region. Priority will be given to organizations that have hosted residencies in the past three years and that have preselected the artist(s) at the time of application. The residencies and fellowships may be open to practitioners from any artistic discipline. Selected artists must be willing to participate in at least one public activity during the residency period and at least one virtual event hosted by CCF.
Upcoming Sessions:
Call 4: Grant Writing with Marielle Barrow – February 23, 10:00–11:30 AM (EST)
Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1jK4LlWWTUuD8O14ngmKEg
Call 4: Q&A Session – February 26, 10:00–11:00 AM (EST)
Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nJdV-uj2TtCfmZEccGbJOg
Call 4: Submittable Support – February 27, 10:00–11:00 AM (EST)
Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WNbiwcFMR5-xGumQxyD72A
Call 5: Orientation – February 24, 10:00–11:00 AM (EST)
Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IUf438ivSkyAe8KqG4ooIA
Call 5: Q&A Session – March 3, 10:00–11:00 AM (EST)
Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xtkiQRJvS8CieXburPsV9w
Call 5: Residencies Call Submittable Support – March 10, 10:00–11:00 AM (EST)
Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YefznCELQ6C_583sR2pWhg

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Tax Administration reminds the public that the deadline to complete payments and collect the 2026 Motor Vehicle Stickers is fast approaching.

All distribution phases have now been enacted, and motorists across all vehicle categories may continue to complete payments and collect their stickers at the Receiver's Office on Pond Island. The office operates from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM throughout February, with cash payments accepted until 3:00 PM daily.

Payments may also be made online via https://services.sintmaartengov.org/ or via bank transfer to the following accounts: WIB USD 324800-05 / XCG 324800-03; RBC USD 8200000403930461 / XCG 8200000005425048.

Motorists using bank transfer should ensure they include their name and vehicle plate number in the description. Receipts and stickers can be collected at the Receivers Office within three to five working days, provided all required documents are presented.

The Tax Administration urges all motorists who have not yet paid or collected their 2026 Motor Vehicle Sticker to do so before the deadline of Friday, February 27.

PHILIPSBURG:--- “There’s something powerful about women shaping policy.” These were the words of Cassandra Richardson, Director of Victim Support Services (VSS), as her team welcomed members of the Women’s Caucus of Parliament to the VSS Headquarters for a private engagement focused on survivor protection, legislative reform, and strengthening national support systems.
Victim Support Services is a foundation funded mainly by the Ministry of Justice. The agency continues to play a critical role in advocacy, survivor care, and public awareness across Sint Maarten.
In attendance were Chairlady of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams, Members of Parliament Veronica Jansen-Webster, Sjamira Roseburg, and Ludmilla de Weever, who engaged directly with VSS leadership, staff, and invited clients to better understand the lived realities of survivors and the urgent need for policy advancement.
A highlight of the evening included a thought-provoking poetic presentation by Ramona Riley of Prominent Women, underscoring the importance of women legislators championing issues of abuse, inequality, and justice affecting all genders.
During the closed session, several VSS clients, described as “victors,” bravely shared personal testimonies involving workplace harassment, molestation of minors, and domestic violence. Particular concern was raised regarding situations in which immigration dependency is used as a tool of coercion, leaving victims fearful of reporting abuse due to threats of deportation or family separation.
Internal discussions cried out for the urgent need for:
•Stronger legislative protection for minors against sexual abuse and exploitation
•Safeguards for spouses facing control, and immigration-related threats of deportation, no alimony
•Workplace protections preventing continued harassment after formal complaints
•Better collaboration between law enforcement, court systems, SMMC, SZV, and Victim Support Services
• Added public awareness of survivor rights, financial restitution, and pathways to safety
Members of Parliament and the women’s caucus, MP Veronica Jansen-Webster and Sjamira Roseburg, graciously reflected on knowledge gained from recent regional parliamentary engagement in Trinidad and Tobago, where lawmakers exchanged strategies to combat technological abuse, support voiceless victims, and strengthen survivor-centered legislation.
Victim Support Services reaffirmed that healing begins when survivor stories are acknowledged as truthful and when our local systems respond with dignity, care, protection, and empowerment. The VSS called for continued legislative partnership to ensure that women, men, and children living in fear of partner abuse and control, and persons harassed in the work environment, are protected and supported through meaningful, enforceable policy. VSS encouraged the caucus of women to utilize the important information, knowledge, and skills that the agency, along with their survivor partners, can share in order to lend advice throughout the potential draft legislative framework process, given the loopholes that the survivors encounter when they should be simply focusing on receiving assistance in a caring manner.
The Women’s Caucus is committed to carefully reviewing the concerns presented and advancing legislative measures that restore safety, justice, and dignity for all survivors across Sint Maarten.
Victim Support Services is dedicated to providing confidential assistance, advocacy, and guidance to individuals affected by crime, abuse, major accidents and violence. Through counseling, referrals, and community engagement, VSS works to ensure survivors are protected, informed of their rights, and supported on their path to healing.