<P><U><B>The Mandate</B></U></P>
<P>The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe was established by legislation and by the governments culture ministry in 1985 to preserve and promote the arts and culture through programs and activities involving participation, consumption and appreciation by all.</P>
<P>The organisation serves professional arts, community arts, amateur arts, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, crafts, cultural animation, folk or traditional culture, language preservation, training of artists and/or cultural workers, cultural industries, writing, magazine publishing, media arts, film, video/television and arts education.</P>
<P>The Council</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>publishes magazines </LI></UL>
<P><U><B>The Governing Body</B></U></P>
<P>The governing body sets policy on</P>
<UL>
<LI>fostering, developing and improving the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts in Zimbabwe by encouraging the teaching of the arts
<LI>advising and co-operating with government, local authoroties, registered arts organisations, etc. </LI></UL>
<P>The 10 members of the governing body are appointed by the government for a three year term. Representation of cultural fields, professions and gender are the main considerations for membership.</P>
<P><U><B>The Staff</B></U></P>
<P>The chief executive officer is appointed by the governing body. The 27 employees are not public servants. The staff who have direct program responsibilities come from the field.</P>
<P>The organisation has regional officies responsible for cultural co-ordination activities in each province.</P>
<P><U><B>Relationship with Government</B></U></P>
<P>The Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture is the government department with which the Council has the closest relationship. Independence from government is ensured by the presence of the board. The Council is a parastatal organisation.</P>
<P>To ensure the organization's accountability to the government, the Council regularly submits financial reports to the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture.</P>
<P>The government</P>
<UL>
<LI>appoints the members of the governing body
<LI>establishes the overall policies within which the organisation works </LI></UL>
<P>The organisation's financial accounts are audited by the government auditor or an auditor appointed by the government.</P>
<P>The Council</P>
<UL>
<LI>is required to file an annual report with the legislature or government
<LI>determines its own current priorities
<LI>establishes its own strategic plan
<LI>appoints its chief executive officer
<LI>selects its other staff members
<LI>determines the allocation of the budget to various programs and activities
<LI>establishes its various funding programs
<LI>determines who will receive its financial support </LI></UL>
<P>The Council co-operates with funding bodies at other levels of government which are independent of the Council. It collaborates, organizes and facilitates events with some other funding bodies in Zimbabwe.</P>
<P><U><B>Budget and Revenue Sources</B></U></P>
<P>The organisation receives a legally obligated contribution from the government. Its annual funding comes from the governments general revenues or culture budget.</P>
<P>The total budget in the current year is $26,388,000 Zimbabwe dollars ($659,700 U.S. dollars), of which 27 % is contributed by the national government and 69% by private sector contributions.. The balance is made up of 3 % of self-generated revenues and 1% of interest on investments/endowments. Over the last five years, funding from government has decreased.</P>
<P>The organisation has been tasked to embark on commercialisation activities to support the arts and sustain itself. Its self-generated revenues come from fundraising activities, donations and in-kind support from the corporate sector.</P>
<P><U><B>Programs of Financial Support for the Arts/Cultural Community</B></U></P>
<P>The Council provides financial support to organizations and individuals. Most of the financial support programs are organised by discipline or sector and geographically.</P>
<P>The funds can be used for</P>
<UL>
<LI>creation
<LI>research and development
<LI>production, presentation and exhibition
<LI>operations of an organisation </LI></UL>
<P>Capital expenditures and matters not related to the arts are not funded by the Council.</P>
<P><U><B>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</B></U></P>
<P>Applications for financial support are assessed by a specialised committee approved by the board.</P>
<P>The recipients of financial support are selected according to the originality of the creative ideas and according to geographical and specific budget criteria.</P>
<P><STRONG><U>Unique or Special Features of the Organisation</U></STRONG></P>
<P>The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe is a parastatal organisation, established by statute with the mandate to promote and develop the arts and culture.&nbsp; It is decentralised to provincial level and coordinates the operations of arts and cultural organisations in the country.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Challenge</B></U></P>
<P>The lack of financial resources, limited staff, commercialisation and resource mobilisation activities are the&nbsp;greatest current challenges, along with the need to satisfy the needs of the cultural industry.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Strength</B></U></P>
<P>The greatest strengths are public relations and improved communications, consultations with stakeholders, collaborations with sponsors/artists, and publication of Ngoma magazine.&nbsp; The National Arts Council has experienced staff, and unity or purpose translated into action by functional structured working resources.</P>
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