<P><U><B>The Mandate</B></U></P>
<P>Established by legislation in 1984, the Cayman National Cultural Foundation serves professional arts, community arts, amateur arts, theatre, dance, visual arts, cultural animation, folk or traditional culture, training of artists and/or cultural workers, writing, book publishing and arts education.</P>
<P>The Foundation</P>
<UL>
<LI>provides financial support to individuals in the arts/culture
<LI>advises the national government on matters related to the arts/culture
<LI>conducts research in the arts/culture
<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>organises 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>New members of the governing body are nominated by members of the board, based on their interest, special skills and demonstrated commitment to Cayman art and cultural development.</P>
<P>Except for the benefactor of the CNCF property, there are no specific requirements in the law for the appointment of board members (maximum 15, minimum 7), although every effort is made to appoint persons who possess the necessary skills and interest to make a success of the organisation. There are no limits to the length of term of members, who may serve indefinitely. However, an appointment can be revoked at the discretion of the board.</P>
<P><U><B>The Staff</B></U></P>
<P>The 8 staff members are not public servants. All staff are appointed by the board. Members of Senior Management usually come from the field.</P>
<P><U><B>Relationship with Government</B></U></P>
<P>The Ministry of Community Affairs, Sports, Women, Youth and Culture is the government department with which the Foundation has the closest relationship.</P>
<P>The Foundation is funded by government and is required by law to provide quarterly reports to the ministry and annual audited accounts and reports.</P>
<P>The Foundation's independence is ensured by the fact that, in accordance with current law, it has no government appointed members and by the decision that the staff will not be not civil servants.</P>
<P>The Foundation's accountability is ensured by the quarterly and annual reports and a management sensitive to the mores and needs of the communities the Foundation serves. The organisation is required to file an annual report with the legislature or government. The government determines how much money it will give the Foundation.</P>
<P>The Foundation</P>
<UL>
<LI>determines its own policies
<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>Within the scope of the law, the government can give directions to the organisation. There are no other cultural funding bodies on the Cayman Islands.</P>
<P><U><B>Budget and Revenue Sources</B></U></P>
<P>The organisation's total budget in the current year is CI $664, 487 (or $830, 601 U.S. dollars). About 64% of the budget is provided by the national government and 21.5% by private sector contributions. The balance of 14.5 % represents self-generated revenues. Although government funding has increased over the last five years, it has not kept pace with the development of the organisation and inflation.</P>
<P>The Foundation receives donations from non-government sources. It is actively pursuing such revenues and is expected to do so by the government. Over the last five years, non-government revenues have increased, but the Foundation still has difficulty convincing the private sector that it is necessary to fund the arts.</P>
<P><U><B>Programs of Financial Support for the Arts/Cultural Community</B></U></P>
<P>The Foundation provides financial support to organisations and individuals. Most of the financial support programs are organised by discipline or sector.</P>
<P>The funds can be used for</P>
<UL>
<LI>creation
<LI>research and development
<LI>production, presentation and exhibition
<LI>publication
<LI>the operations of an organisation
<LI>conservation and preservation
<LI>capital expenses
<LI>deficit reduction </LI></UL>
<P><U><B>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</B></U></P>
<P>When a proposal is made for funding, it is brought before the grants awards committee for discussion and must obtain the approval of the board. The project proposed is evaluated on the experience and skill of the artist, the artists ability to use the grant effectively and the relevance of the work in the overall development of the arts in the Cayman Islands.</P>
<P><U><B>Unique or Special Features of the Organization</B></U></P>
<P>The Foundation is funded by government and given considerable freedom to utilise the expertise it hires and attracts as volunteers to carry out its policies and programs.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Challenge</B></U></P>
<P>The greatest challenge is the lack of motivation and interest in Cayman arts among the public, who tend to be affluent and strongly influenced by other societies believed to set the cultural standards for the world.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Strength</B></U></P>
<P>Diversity in programs and commitment to high artistic standards are the Foundation's greatest strengths.</P>
<P><!-- bottom margin -->&nbsp;</P>