The Montego Bay Cultural Centre, a registered Visitor Attraction Site, is overseen by the board members of the Montego Bay Arts Council Ltd . The Arts Council, headed by Chairman Josef Forstmayr, represents a wide cross section of Government, Tourism and Business stakeholders.

 

The Montego Bay Cultural Centre,plays a unique civic role as it is dedicated to the retention of Jamaica’s rich history, the promotion and development of its artistic treasures. It was a concept initiated by Senator Noel Sloley, Lloyd B. Smith and Councillor Glendon Harris and the vision became a reality through the support of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF).

 

The Montego Bay Cultural Centre opened its doors on July 11, 2014 on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding forged between the St. James Municipal Corporation and the Montego Bay Arts Council Ltd, which set the legal and administrative foundation of this Centre of Culture. The Montego Bay Cultural Centre now houses National Gallery West, an extension of National Gallery of Jamaica and the National Museum West. The National Museum West features the Montego Bay to the World Exhibit which houses numerous artifacts particularly from Montego Bay and its environs; and a ‘revolving’ Museum which currently features the exhibition on RASTAFARI.

 

Another significant feature of the Centre is The Freedom Monument, which chronicles the names of the slaves who were harshly sentenced for their participation in the ‘Christmas Rebellion’. National Hero, The Rt. Excellent Sam uel Sharpe was hanged at a section to the front of the Montego Bay Cultural Centre for his leadership of this rebellion.

 

The multifaceted centre also houses “Ol’ Joe”, the home of the most scrumptious Jamaican dishes, to be found in the Centre’s courtyard.