<P><U><B>The Mandate</B></U></P>
<P>Established by government legislation, the Department of Arts and Culture is charged with the application and follow-up of the state cultural policy, assisting in the promotion of the arts, regulating the cultural sector and supporting private sectors of the cultural field.</P>
<P>The Department serves music, theatre, dance, crafts, cultural animation, heritage, museums and galleries, libraries, training artists and cultural workers, cultural industries, literary creation, book publishing, film, video, television and arts education.</P>
<P>The Department</P>
<UL>
<LI>Provides financial support to arts/cultural organizations
<LI>Provides financial support to individuals in the arts/culture
<LI>Advises the national government on matters of the arts/culture
<LI>Is responsible for laws on the arts/culture
<LI>Develops national policies on the arts/culture
<LI>Implements national policies on the arts/culture
<LI>Assesses national policies on the arts/culture
<LI>Performs research in the arts/culture
<LI>Has the lead responsibility at the national level for coordinating international cultural relations and exchanges
<LI>Is responsible for matters of copyright and intellectual property
<LI>Is responsible for the collective management of copyright
<LI>Organizes and administrates cultural activities and events
<LI>Manages cultural activity halls and venues
<LI>Awards prizes and distinctions in the arts/culture
<LI>Administers a public lending right program for books and printed matter
<LI>Publishes books and/or magazines </LI></UL>
<P><U><B>The Staff</B></U></P>
<P>Departmental employees with responsibilities directly related to the programs have first-hand experience in the field.</P>
<P>Regional cultural branches serve the regions.</P>
<P><U><B>Budget and Revenue Sources</B></U></P>
<P>The total budget for the current year is 1,497,907,000 francs CFA, or $2,073,256 U.S. The budget comes from annual funds from general revenue or the governments culture budget.</P>
<P>Funding has remained at the same level for the past five years, and is considered insufficient.</P>
<P><U><B>Programs of Financial Support for the Arts/Cultural Community</B></U></P>
<P>The Department provides financial support to organizations and individuals. This assistance is for professional activities only.</P>
<P>The Department funds</P>
<UL>
<LI>creation
<LI>production, presentation and exhibition
<LI>publication
<LI>operations
<LI>conservation and preservation </LI></UL>
<P>Funds may not be used for personal purposes.</P>
<P><U><B>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</B></U></P>
<P>A committee made up of directors in the various artistic disciplines evaluates applications. These persons assess the content and interest of projects, and their potential for creating employment and making applicants more autonomous.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Challenge</B></U></P>
<P>For the Department, the greatest challenge is to allow artists to make a living with their art.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Strength</B></U></P>
<P>The Department has the ear of the government, which supports the cultural sector.</P>