WILLEMSTAD – Jazz Vibes is expanding beyond live performances this year with the introduction of the Jazz Vibes Music & Art Education Week 2026, bringing local musicians, artists, students and creative entrepreneurs together with international professionals from Atlanta.
The initiative is being organized by the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO) in the run-up to the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival and is intended to strengthen the island’s creative industry through education, entrepreneurship and international cooperation.
The public program begins Wednesday, September 2, when Wilhelminaplein in Punda will host Jazz Vibes from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Tempo Music, AXL & Friends and Hershel Rosario & Friends are scheduled to perform during the evening.
This year, however, MEO is using the event as the centerpiece of a broader week of activities designed to connect Curaçao’s creative sector with international expertise and potential markets.
Special guests include Dr. Fahamu Pecou and Esohe Galbreath of the African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta (ADAMA), as well as Atlanta-based music producer, artist manager and educator Ben Yonas.
Pecou and Galbreath will meet representatives of Curaçao’s arts and cultural sector to discuss artistic development, cultural entrepreneurship and opportunities for international cooperation.
Yonas will focus primarily on Curaçao’s music industry, including music education, artist development, the business side of music and strategies for accessing international markets.
Two free public masterclasses will be held Thursday, September 3, at MEO.
From 9:00 a.m. until noon, Yonas will lead “Music Beyond the Stage – Building Sustainable Careers, Global Markets & Curaçao’s Music Industry.” The session will examine how musicians and other industry professionals can develop sustainable careers while positioning themselves for opportunities outside Curaçao.
Later that day, from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., Pecou and Galbreath will present “From Artistic Voice to International Opportunity – Building a Sustainable Creative Practice.”
In addition to the public events, several invitation-only professional sessions will take place during the week. These meetings are intended to explore concrete cooperation between Curaçao and Atlanta in music, visual arts, education, cultural exchange and access to international markets.
MEO says the expanded Jazz Vibes concept reflects an effort to go beyond simply providing local artists with a stage. The ministry wants to connect artistic talent with entrepreneurship, professional development and international business opportunities.
The initiative also places greater emphasis on the economic potential of Curaçao’s creative sector, particularly by helping artists and musicians develop the knowledge and networks needed to turn their work into sustainable careers.
Jazz Vibes takes place Wednesday, September 2, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Wilhelminaplein in Punda. The Music & Art Education masterclasses will be held Thursday at the Ministry of Economic Development.