National Registry - Benefits & Beneficiaries

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Ministry of The Arts and Multiculturalism

How Do I Use My Certification/Registration To Secure Increased Financial Assistance From Private Companies?

• Registration of Artists or Cultural Workers and the Certification of audio, visual of video work is designed to make sponsorship of artists and their
artwork more attractive to the Corporate Citizen.
• These benefits accrue to performing artists registered with the Ministry with responsibility for Culture, and producers of audio, visual and video
productions whose work has been certified by the Minister with responsibility for Culture as representing local culture or entertainment:
• If you are a performing artist, advise your potential Corporate Sponsor that they can claim as an allowance for that year of income, 100% of the
actual expenditure incurred up to a maximum of two million dollars based on the funding they provide to you.
• If you have produced an audio, visual or video production promoting or reflecting local entertainment or local culture, advise your potential Corporate
Sponsor that they can claim as an allowance for that year of income, 150% of the actual expenditure incurred up to a maximum of two million dollars
based on the funding they provide to you.
• If you are a Production Company that incurred expenditure for its own audio, visual or video production reflecting local entertainment or local culture,
you can claim as an allowance for that year of income, 150% of the actual expenditure incurred up to a maximum of two million dollars.
• In all cases, ensure the certificate you obtained from the Registry is available to prove your bona fide. Be prepared furnish this document to the
Corporate Citizen for them to verify same.
• When the company submits its tax return, they have to attach the copy of the certificate to the return as proof of your bonafide in order to qualify for
the allowances the legislation provide

What Other Benefits Does The Legislation Afford Artists?

• Visual Artists should note that the legislation allows Corporate Citizens to claim as an allowance for that year of income, 100% of the actual
expenditure incurred up to a maximum of two million dollars based on their acquisition of a work of art they have produced so long as they are a
national, it is the first acquisition of that particular piece and the work has been certified by an art gallery (that must submit the valuation it
performed). Please note that the visual artist need not be registered with the National Registry to receive these benefits.
• Performing artists registered with the Tobago House of Assembly can also attain benefits similar to those that accrue to performing artists registered in
the National Registry.
• Producers of audio, visual and video works for educational purposes whose work has been certified by the Minister with responsibility for Education
as reflecting same can derive similar benefits as those outlined for works certified by the Minister with responsibility for Culture as reflecting local
culture or entertainment.

Beneficiaries Of This Initiative

• Corporations that sponsor cultural works
• Performing artists who seek funding locally
• Artist and cultural workers who seek employment internationally.
• Researchers and academic
• Producers of audio, visual and video work