<P><U><B>The Mandate</B></U></P>
<P>Established in 1990 by government regulation and executive decision of the governments culture ministry, the Directorate for the Arts is responsible for</P>
<UL>
<LI>the development of the artistic talent of Namibians through the implementation of accessible arts educational and training programs
<LI>the development of opportunities for participation in visual and performing arts through support to institutions, organizations and individuals
<LI>safeguarding freedom of artistic expression
<LI>the creation of a future artistic heritage
<LI>the implementation of national and international programs. </LI></UL>
<P>The Directorate is directly responsible for the College for the Arts and a national arts extension program, which has a range of satellite training, exhibition and performance centres. It is responsible for liaison with the National Theatre and National Gallery, and secures an annual grant to these organizations. The Directorate also coordinates training and various networks responsible for artistic development. It also does international liaison and implements exchange programs.</P>
<P>There is a Directorate for Cultural Heritage which is responsible for museums and monuments, as well as certain arts and cultural programs related to state and national functions.</P>
<P>The Ministry of Basic Education, Sports and Culture is in the process of developing the parameters for the establishment of an Arts and Culture Council.</P>
<P>The Arts Directorate serves professional arts, community arts, amateur arts, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, crafts, cultural animation, heritage, folk or traditional culture, museums and galleries, libraries, archives, archeology, preservation and conservation of artifacts, language training, training of artists and/or cultural workers, cultural industries, writing, book publishing, magazine publishing, media arts, film, video, television, multi-media, broadcasting and arts education.</P>
<P>The Directorate</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 related to the arts/culture
<LI>has responsibility for government legislation related to the arts/culture
<LI>develops national arts/cultural policies
<LI>implements national arts/cultural policies
<LI>evaluates national arts/cultural policies
<LI>conducts research in the arts/culture
<LI>compiles and maintains the national cultural statistics and databases
<LI>promotes public understanding and appreciation of the arts/culture
<LI>has lead responsibility at the national level for coordinating international cultural relations and exchanges
<LI>organizes and manages cultural activities or events
<LI>manages cultural facilities or venues
<LI>awards prizes/honours in the arts/culture
<LI>provides training and professional development in artistic/cultural fields </LI></UL>
<P>At present, there is no governing body.</P>
<P><U><B>The Staff</B></U></P>
<P>The 110 staff members are government employees. The National Theatre has 21 staff members, and the National Art Gallery has about 20.</P>
<P>The executive officer is appointed by the Public Service Commission, through the Office of the Prime Minister. The staff who have direct program responsibilities come from the field.</P>
<P>The Directorate has regional offices, decentralization of programs being a high priority. With the creation of satellites, the regional officers are involved in coordination.</P>
<P><U><B>Budget and Revenue Sources</B></U></P>
<P>The Directorate receives 100% of its annual funding from the government 's general revenues or culture budget. The organization's total budget in the current year is N$ 18 million for Arts and Culture Programs ($ 3,000,000 U.S. dollars) and N$ 6,6 ($1,100,000 U.S.) for Arts alone. Over the last five years, funding from government has increased.</P>
<P>About 1% of the Ministry of Basic Education, Sports and Culture budget is allocated to the area of Arts and Culture.</P>
<P>There has recently been a thorough investigation of the arts support system by a Presidential Commission on Education, Training and Culture which has emphasized the fact that this sector needs at least 3 times more money in order to remain viable and in order for the government to fulfill its obligations with regards to the development of the arts and culture.</P>
<P>One of the proposals is that the College for the Arts, which (together with the State Museum) is still the only fully state-run institution, will become autonomous. Concerns are raised that it would be difficult for the College for the Arts to become commercially viable, and therefore current research is being done to secure a proper funding formula.</P>
<P>The Arts Directorate receives donations from non-government sources, provides tax benefits for contributions and is actively pursuing revenues from non-government sources. Over the last five years, funds from non-government sources have increased.</P>
<P>The National Arts Gallery, National Theatre, and several of the arts schools and theatre facilities have built up a sound relationship with donors. All moneys raised are for operational funds and materials, as salaries are paid from the regular budgets.</P>
<P>The easiest way to get money allocated is to dedicate it to specific programs and projects. In this regard the Ministry often has to motivate funding for the arts in terms of other socio-economic or environmental causes before qualifying. However, it has found ways to get funding directed to arts development (through training programs, workshops, etc.) in addition to the public awareness campaigns for which the money was earmarked. In this regard, the Ministry has had good revenues directed towards arts programs via campaigns for AIDS /Drug Abuse/Domestic Violence/Anti-Corruption/Voters' education/and environmental awareness programmes, Womens Feeding programs/ Deforestation/ Desertification/ Recycling/ Pollution, etc.</P>
<P>The Directorate provides financial support to organizations and lower levels of government. Most of its financial support programs are organized by function.</P>
<P>Funding to individuals can not be made if not linked to a specific service. Applicants must be affiliated with an organization. Directorate funds can be used for</P>
<UL>
<LI>creation
<LI>research and development
<LI>production, presentation and exhibition
<LI>publication
<LI>operations of an organization
<LI>conservation and preservation
<LI>capital expenses </LI></UL>
<P>Currently the emphasis is on education and training, and many students receive free or affordable tuition and scholarship assistance. All extension (off main campus) programs at the College are offered free of charge, and through these students can develop a range of skills which can enhance their income generating skills.</P>
<P><U><B>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</B></U></P>
<P>Applications for financial support are assessed by an advisory body in collaboration with the staff. The advisory body is representative of the artists' union, the ministry and relevant sector and subject representatives. It was elected at a public forum on the status of the arts.</P>
<P>Peer assessors are charged with making recommendations. They serve for the duration of their membership. They do not take part in an assessment if personal gain is likely to come from a decision which has to be made.</P>
<P>It is envisaged that the advisory body concept will form the basis for the future Council.</P>
<P><U><B>Unique or Special Features of Your Organization</B></U></P>
<P><SPAN lang=EN-US>The Ministry of Basic Education, Sports and Culture came to life after independence.<SPAN>&nbsp; </SPAN>It has a Formal Education Department and a second Department for Culture and Lifelong Learning in which the Directorate of Arts is situated, alongside directorates of Cultural Heritage, National Archives and Library Services and Adult Basic Education.</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=EN-US>The Directorate of Arts is responsible for arts education through the College of the Arts and its National Extension Programme.<SPAN>&nbsp; </SPAN>It is also the liaison office for the National Arts Gallery of Namibia, the National Theatre of Namibia, the National Arts Council and all international and national arts programmes.</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=EN-US>During the first post-independence decade the main emphasis was placed on implementing accessible arts educational programmes.<SPAN>&nbsp; </SPAN>As a result of this, the National Arts Extension programme was initiated by the Directorate of Arts, and later incorporated as a department into the College of Arts.<SPAN>&nbsp; </SPAN>This allowed student numbers to increase from 700 (in 1990) to 3,500 (in 2003) and to introduce a wide range of visual and performing arts disciplines at 3 central campuses and 12 satellite centres.<SPAN>&nbsp; </SPAN>The teaching staff of 40 lecturers was increased by an additional 65 part-time staff members.<SPAN>&nbsp; </SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=EN-US>The study programme now includes classical and church Music; all symphonic orchestral instruments, keyboard, organ, guitar, vocal, choral, theroy and harmony; jazz music and African music studies.<SPAN>&nbsp; </SPAN>The College of the Arts also offers African dance, ballet and contemporary dance; visual arts and product development, drama and community theatre, and media arts technology studies (including television and radio production, desktop publishing, photography, sound recording, stage design, costume and fashion).<SPAN>&nbsp; </SPAN>It is one of the fastest growing arts educational institutions in southern Africa and draws international students for its applied arts diploma and certificate programmes.</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=EN-US>The Natioanl Art Gallery houses a large permanent collection and is internationally acclaimed for its professionalism in its presentation of up to 80 eshibitions per annum.<SPAN>&nbsp; </SPAN>The National Theatre of Namibia promotes all artistic expressions found in Namibia and has a very active annual programme in the capital as well as the regions.<SPAN>&nbsp; </SPAN>These institutions are engaged in numerous international projects and enjoy institutional co-operation with a vast bumber of countries.</SPAN></P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Challenge</B></U></P>
<P>The greatest challenge at the moment is to have the arts curriculum implemented in schools so that there is equitable access for all learners, and opportunities for the further development of their creative talents.&nbsp; The next biggest challenge is to develop status and career paths for artists in a developing country where the main priorities include the basic need for housing, food and health.&nbsp; Central to all development is the need to address social issues related to HIV/AIDS, gender inequity, domestic violence and the alleviation of poverty.</P>
<P>The National Arts Council is not yet functionalso there is still no funding avenue for private arts initiatives, making it difficult for artists to contribute to the economy of the country.&nbsp; Traditional arts training programmes have been adapted to become more market-related, but the marketing and distribution of Namibian arts products outside our borders still pose problems.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Strength</B></U></P>
<P>Arts training is currently the greatest current strength.&nbsp; The Music and Visual Arts industries have recently experienced a boom and should become stronger in the next few years.&nbsp; The greatest strength of Namibia is its cultural diversity and the fact that many of its ancient cultural expressions are still alive.&nbsp; There is also an appreciative audience for traditional art forms.&nbsp; Namibia remains relatively unspoilt by commercial and imported values.</P>
<P><!-- bottom margin -->&nbsp;</P>