<P><U><B>The mandate</B></U></P>
<P>Established by government regulation in 1975, Funarte is an institution linked to the Brazilian Ministry of Culture. It is dedicated to the development, promotion and dissemination of Brazilian artistic manifestations in theatre, opera, circus, dance, visual arts, popular and classical music, cinema and video, popular culture and folklore, both in Brazil and abroad. Funarte also plays special attention to the preservation and conservation of all sources of documentation produced in these areas, with a view to preserving the nation's cultural memory.</P>
<P>The organizatios serves professional arts, community arts, amateur arts, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, folk or traditional culture, museums and galleries, archives, training of artists and/or cultural workers, book publishing, film, video, television and arts education.</P>
<P>Funarte</P>
<UL>
<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>promotes public understanding and appreciation of the arts/culture
<LI>has responsibility for copyright and intellectual property matters
<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 books and/or magazines </LI></UL>
<P><U><B>The Governing Body</B></U></P>
<P>Funarte has a collegiate directorate, made up of the President and the directors of its departments. The organization's activities are implemented by the following sections :</P>
<UL>
<LI>President's Office
<LI>Planning and Administration Department
<LI>Arts Department (Music and Visual Arts)
<LI>Scenic Arts Department
<LI>Cinema and Video Department
<LI>National Center for Folklore and Popular Culture
<LI>Research and Development Division
<LI>Funarte's Publisher and Distributor </LI></UL>
<P>The President is appointed by the Ministry of Culture and the directors are appointed by the President. Terms are 4 years and may be renewed.</P>
<P><U><B>The Staff</B></U></P>
<P>The 550 staff members are government employees. Personel with direct program responsibilities come from the field. The organization is represented in regional offices in Sao Paulo and Brasilia.</P>
<P><U><B>Relationship with Government</B></U></P>
<P>Funarte is a national foundation created and maintained by the federal government. The Ministry of Culture is the department with which the organization has the closest relationship.</P>
<P>Funarte has its own budget, and its accountability to government is ensured by federal law. Its financial accounts are audited by the government auditor or an auditor appointed by the government. It is required to file an annual report with the legislature or government.</P>
<P>The government determines the amount of funding Funarte receives, while Funarte determines its own policies.</P>
<P>Funarte cooperates with funding bodies at other levels of government, which receive some of their revenues from Funarte through signed agreements.</P>
<P><U><B>Budget and Revenue Sources</B></U></P>
<P>Funarte was set up with an initial endowment from the government. It receives a legally obligated contribution from the government and annual funding from the governments general revenues or culture budget. In addition, the organization receives government revenues derived from a special tax, levy or other mechanism.</P>
<P>The total budget in the current year is R$ 24,000,000 or $13,000,000 U.S.. Close to 100% of the budget is provided by the government. Over the last five years, funding from government has decreased; it is insufficient for the institution to reach its goals.</P>
<P>6% of the budget is self-generated revenue that can be spent only with the authorization of the federal government. Funarte also receives donations that go directly to specific programs. Revenues come from sales of products, tickets and rent of spaces. Funarte is actively pursuing revenues from non-government sources and is expected by the government to raise funds from non-government sources.</P>
<P><U><B>Programs of Financial Support for the Arts/Cultural Community</B></U></P>
<P>Funarte provides financial support to organizations and individuals. Financial support goes only to professional activities (specific productions). Most of the financial support programs are organized by function (e.g., preservation, creation, audience development, etc.). Architectural herirtage and public libraries are not covered by the programs.</P>
<P>The funds can be used for</P>
<UL>
<LI>creation
<LI>research and development
<LI>production, presentation and exhibition
<LI>publication
<LI>conservation and preservation
<LI>capital expenses </LI></UL>
<P><U><B>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</B></U></P>
<P>Applications are assessed through public tenders for the occupation of Funarte's premises (theatre, music halls) for the awards and support programs. The tenders are judged by special commissions.</P>
<P><U><B>Unique or Special Features of the Organization</B></U></P>
<P>Funarte is a very traditional and recognized institution in Brazilian cultural life. It is even older than the Ministry of Culture, and its national performance is well known in Brazil and in many countries abroad.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Challenge</B></U></P>
<P>The greatest challenge is the lack of revenues, considering the responsibilities.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Strength</B></U></P>
<P>The working body and the experience it has gathered through time is the organization's greatest strength.</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>