<p>As with other profiles, the information on this page comes from the survey of participating organisations at the First World Summit on the Arts and Culture in Ottawa in 2000. The Swaziland National Council of Arts and Culture has since sent IFACCA more detail on the history and operations of the Council. <a href="http://svc354.bne098u.server-web.com/swaziland.pdf">Click here to access the additional information</a> (26k PDF).</p>

<p><strong>The Mandate</strong></p>

<p>The Swaziland National Council of Arts and Culture was established in 1997 by executive decision of the government and the governments culture ministry. It serves amateur arts, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, crafts, heritage, folk or traditional culture, museums and galleries, preservation and conservation of artifacts, training of artists and/or cultural workers, writing and book publishing.</p>

<p>The Council</p>

<ul>
<li>provides financial support to arts/cultural organizations</li>
<li>advises the national government on matters related to the arts/culture</li>
<li>develops national arts/cultural policies</li>
<li>implements national arts/cultural policies</li>
<li>evaluates national arts/cultural policies</li>
<li>conducts research in the arts/culture</li>
<li>has responsibility for copyright and intellectual property matters</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>The Governing Body</strong></p>

<p>The eleven members of the governing body are appointed by the government for a term of four years.</p>

<p><strong>The Staff</strong></p>

<p>The staff who have direct program responsibilities come from the field. At present the Council has no full-time staff but is in the process of employing a secretary. The organization does not have regional offices.</p>

<p><strong>Relationship with Government</strong></p>

<p>The Council is fully independent from government but refers to government regularly as the government is responsible for the Councils funding. Relationships with the government representative (the Director of Sports and Culture) closest to the Council are cordial. Accountability to government is ensured by a memorandum of agreement approved by the Minister and cabinet.</p>

<p>The organization&#39;s financial accounts are audited by an auditor selected by the trustees. The Council is required to file an annual report with the legislature or government which, within limits, can give directions to the organization.</p>

<p>The government</p>

<ul>
<li>appoints the members of the governing body</li>
<li>is represented on the governing body</li>
<li>establishes the various funding programs of the organization</li>
<li>determines the amount of funding the organization receives</li>
</ul>

<p>The Council</p>

<ul>
<li>determines its own current priorities</li>
<li>appoints its chief executive officer</li>
<li>selects its other staff members</li>
<li>determines who will receive its financial support</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Budget and Revenue Sources</strong></p>

<p>The organizations total budget in the current year is</p>

<p>E 1,000,000 (or $142,857 U.S. dollars), 100% of which comes from the national government from the general revenues or culture budget. Over the last five years, funding has remained at the same level. The organization is actively pursuing revenues from non-government sources.</p>

<p><strong>Programs of Financial Support for the Arts/Cultural Community</strong></p>

<p>Most of the financial support programs are organized by discipline or sector.</p>

<p>The funds can be used for :</p>

<ul>
<li>creation</li>
<li>research and development</li>
<li>production, presentation and exhibition</li>
<li>publication</li>
<li>the operations of an organization</li>
<li>conservation and preservation</li>
<li>capital expenses</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</strong></p>

<p>Applications for financial support are assessed by the Director of Sports and Culture and by the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The needs are evaluated based on analysis of budgets provided by the applicant associations.</p>

<p><strong>Greatest Current Challenge</strong></p>

<p>Obtaining adequate financial resources and the government&#39;s full commitment to the Council are the main challenges.</p>

<p><strong>Greatest Current Strength</strong></p>

<p>Council members are working in one spirit and are highly committed to the interests of the arts in Eswatini.</p>