One of the newest research projects undertaken by NICH, is the documenting of the history of the Grand ball tradition. This is a joint project undertaken by the Institute of Social and Cultural Research and the Institute of Creative Arts.

The Grand Ball is an event where dancers perform various quadrille (square) dances and other dance pieces.This event has taken place every Christmas and New Year's Eve in Dangriga town since 1914.  With almost a hundred years of cultural tradition, knowledge and history, the aim of this project is to capture and record this knowledge, of a tradition which for the most part is unknown to the rest of the country.

The project is a three phase one which involves the release of a publication about the Grandball, two DVD's -one featuring a documentary about the Ball and the other an instructional video detailing the steps for the various dance sets and pieces; and finally a CD will be produced featuring the  recording of the traditional music. The primary areas of research includes the:

• history of the ball
• the culture surrounding the ball
• elements of the ball (music, costume, dance)
• current and future outlook of the tradition

Phase one of the project began in December 2009 where a research team and film crew was sent to Dangriga and interviewed various dancers, musicians and family members in an effort to derive various perspectives about the survival of the Grand Ball. Of at least 13 associations which carried out the Grand Ball since 1914, there are currently only two surviving associations which carry out the ball today. Through the eyes of these associations the Grand Ball the tradition has been shaped and molded throughout the years.