How to Apply

Required Documents

• Proof of Citizenship: A valid Trinidad and Tobago National Identification Card and Birth Certificate or valid Trinidad and Tobago Passport
• A headshot of yourself no less than 400×400 pxl
• One Letter of Recommendation for each or all selected fields of endeavour from:
  • A reputable group, umbrella body, state agency or institution in the particular field
  • An educator with advanced standing, degree or equivalent experience familiar with your work on a professional level
  • An established artist or cultural worker in the particular field
• A Profile no more than 300 words reflecting your work in the Creative and Cultural Industries
• Samples of published work for each field of endeavour selected

Supplemental Documents (Optional)

• Copies of academic certificates where applicable to selected field(s) of endeavour
• Proof of membership to an organisation in relation to selected field(s) of endeavour

Required Documents

• Copies of the organisation’s Articles of Association or Incorporation, Constitution or By-Laws
• Copies of minutes of two recent meetings, one of which records the establishment of the current executive of the organisation
• At least three (3) resumes from the executives of the organisation, which includes the Founder / President / Chief Executive Officer (Profiles and Biographies are not accepted)*
• Profile of the organisation (Outlining the organisation’s purpose, functions and structure)
• A photo representative of the organisation or its logo
• Samples of published work for each field of endeavour selected

Supplemental Documents (Optional)

• Proof of membership to an organisation in relation to selected field(s) of endeavour

*Note: Sole traders or proprietors are still required to submit three (3) resumes. The additional resumes can come from technical advisors or contracted service providers you have worked with.

Criterion for Application

Must promote or reflect local entertainment or local culture.

Mandatory Application Requirements

• For Individuals, Proof of Citizenship in the form of:
  • A valid Trinidad and Tobago National Identification Card and Birth Certificate
  • Or a valid Trinidad and Tobago Passport
• For Organisations:
  • Copies of the organisation’s Articles of Association or Incorporation, Constitution or By-Laws
• Individuals or Organisations must upload:
  • A Synopsis for each work listed (a summary of the script)*
  • A Full Script / Lyrics / Treatment for each work listed (the entire text for the work)
  • A Distribution Plan for each work listed (an outline of channels and strategy for distributing the work to the general public)

*Note: Synopsis should include information which reflects local content / culture / entertainment or should provide details on local cast / crew / producers / locations etc.

Supplemental Documents (Optional)

• A copy of the completed production or clip or scene or trailer
• Awards earned by the work

Mandatory Application Requirements

• A copy of the organisation’s Articles of Association, Incorporation, Constitution or By-Laws
• Resumes from at least three (3) members of its executive (Profiles and biographies are not accepted)
• Festival Documentation:
  • Overview of the festival (background on festival, program of activities)
  • Marketing Plan (strategy for promotion)
  • Evidence that the festival was hosted for at least three (3) years or for three (3) instances over a period of time in the form of: newspapers articles, advertisements (digital, print or video), memorabilia, sponsorship letters, tickets, official passes and flyers to name a few

1. The Assessment Committee for the National Registry of Artists and Cultural Workers retains the right to deny the certification of any work that is deemed to have profane, obscene and violent language and images which would not be suitable for all audiences. All work that is certified must reflect local culture and responsible local content.
2. The Assessment Committee must receive documentation that an applicant is the owner of the project for which an application is submitted. As long as the name of the applicant does not correspond to what is stated on the audio, visual or video production, a signed letter of authorisation from the owner of the work (song writer, screen writer, script writer etc.) must be submitted with the application stating that they have given the applicant permission to apply to have their work certified. This also applies if a company is applying for work that has been produced by an individual for example a production company that is applying to certify a script written by an individual.
3. Audio Work:
   • The lyrics for every song on the album must be submitted with the application for certification of an album.
   • These lyrics must be registered with a recognised agency that can attest to applicant’s ownership of the copyright of these lyrics. The Intellectual Property Office of Trinidad and Tobago recognises four copyright agencies in Trinidad and Tobago:
     • COTT (Copyright Music Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago)
     • TTCO (Trinidad and Tobago Copyright Organization)
     • AWESOME
     • TTRRO (Trinidad and Tobago Reprographic Rights Organization)
4. Audiovisual Work:
   • A full script must be submitted for each application for certification of a video production. This applies to all genres including reality television shows and documentaries.
   • Applications for series (multiple episodes) must supply a full script for each episode in order for the entire series to be certified.

• Minors applying to the National Registry of Artists and Cultural Workers must submit a letter of consent/authorisation from their parent/guardian with their completed application.
• Persons must produce samples of work or evidence which shows visible credits for the producer of the work.
• All applicants are required to submit at least five (5) samples of work with the exception of Authors, Filmmakers, Photographers, and Visual Artists, Designers, and Artisans.
• Print and/or audio-visual evidence must be submitted to support each field of endeavour. Examples include:
  • For authors of prose fiction and non-fiction, at least three (3) samples of published work
  • For playwrights evidence of work being commissioned, workshopped or performed
  • For filmmakers, credits for at least three (3) samples of work released for public viewing
  • Programmes and playbills crediting applicants in the performing arts
  • CD Jackets showing credits for performers
  • Photographs of artwork for visual artists
  • Recommendations from copyright organisations for songwriters
  • Links to their website/webpage (if available)
  • ‘YouTube’ videos which should also exist in DVD format
• Letters of recommendation must:
  • Endorse competencies for which a person is applying
  • Bear the letterhead of the organisation the recommender represents or provide contact information if personal
• Academic transcripts are optional and can be included upon request.
• Performers should submit samples of work evidenced by:
  • Playbills for at least five (5) productions
  • Copies of at least five (5) video-recorded performances
  • Public performances of five (5) different works for Music Performance
  • Isolated samples of their work if background vocalists or members of ensembles
  • Copies of films/documentaries in which they appeared
• Photographers should provide:
  • A portfolio of at least fifteen (15) photographs
  • Evidence of having worked in the field for at least three (3) years
  • Client testimonials for commercial photography
• Visual Artists, Designers, and Artisans should submit:
  • A portfolio of at least fifteen (15) pieces
  • Work that has been publicly exhibited, published, or sold in at least three (3) instances
• Works for certification:
  • Should be submitted with an ‘Executive Summary’ by the creator of the work.
  • Must be created by a national or registered organisation of Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Must represent local culture and local entertainment.
  • Produced under an academic institution, must be submitted along with a letter from that institution which states the applicant is the copyright co-owner of that work.
  • Should be accompanied by a letter authorising the representative to apply on behalf of an organisation.
  • Should be accompanied by a letter of authorisation in cases where the work is not owned by the applicant or is an adoption of a previously existing work.
• Applicants submitting samples of audio production published on digital music platforms such as Sound Cloud and iTunes are creditable.