<P>Visit the culture portal for Cuba - <A href="http://www.cult.cu" target=_blank>Cubarte</A></P>
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<P><B><U>The Mandate</U></B></P>
<P>Established by legislation in 1976, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cuba manages, guides, controls and implements the state's and government's cultural policy. It also works toward defending, preservating and enriching the Cuban nation's cultural heritage.</P>
<P>The organisation serves professional arts, community and amateur arts, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, crafts, cultural animation, heritage, folk or traditional culture, museums and galleries, libraries, preservation and conservation of artifacts, training of artists and/or cultural workers, cultural industries, writing, book publishing, magazine publishing, multi-media and arts education. </P>
<P>The Ministry</P>
<UL>
<LI>provides financial support to arts/cultural organisations
<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 culture statistics and databases
<LI>promotes public understanding and appreciation of the arts/culture
<LI>has responsibility at the national level for coordinating international cultural relations and exchanges
<LI>has responsibility for copyright and intellectual property matters
<LI>has responsibility for collective management of copyright
<LI>organises and manages cultural activities or events
<LI>manages cultural facilities or venues
<LI>arranges tax benefits for contributions to the arts/culture
<LI>awards prizes/honours in the arts/culture
<LI>provides training and professional development in artistic/cultural fields
<LI>administers a public lending right program for book or printed materials
<LI>publishes books and/or magazines </LI></UL>
<P><B><U>The Staff</U></B></P>
<P>The Ministry's Directory Council is comprised of 28 persons. It is presided over by the Minister of Culture and made up of deputy Ministers, heads of the body and heads of national agencies. The Minister of Culture is named by approval of the State Council. Ministry staff who have direct program reponsibilities come from the field. Staff are employed as part of Cuba’s public service.</P>
<P>There are provincial and municipal boards of culture, overseen by local governments.</P>
<P><B><U>Budget and revenue Sources</U></B></P>
<P>The total budget in the current year is 107.2m Cuban Pesos (CUP), or $45m in U.S. dollars. This budget consists of contributions by the national government and through self-generated revenues. Government funding has increased over the last five years.</P>
<P>The Ministry generates some of its revenues through sales of cultural goods and services.</P>
<P><B><U>Programs of Financial Support for the Arts/Cultural Community</U></B></P>
<P>The Ministry provides financial support to organisations, individuals and lower levels of government. Most of its financial support is organised by discipline or sector (eg dance, writing, visual arts etc.). Funding can be used for:</P>
<UL>
<LI>artistic 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><B><U>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</U></B></P>
<P>Requests for financing in national currency are considered by the fund of Cultural Projects. Projects requiring US dollars are evaluated by the Fund of Development for Education and Culture, which is in charge of protecting those areas of creation in need of subsidies in that currency.</P>
<P><B><U>Greatest Current Challenge</U></B></P>
<P>The greatest current challenge lies in the efforts to increase the most authentic and genuine of Cuban and universal culture at grass-roots level so that citizens may be ready to grasp, in a critical way, the most intricate and elaborate messages. Special attention will be paid to programs aimed at systematically increasing general and full-fledged culture of our children, teenagers and youths.</P>
<P><B><U>Greatest Current Strength</U></B></P>
<P>The existence of an important network of cultural institutions, having various profiles and skilled personnel enabling their performance, throughout the country as well as a wide, high-quality artistic and literary movement.</P>