<P><U><B>The Mandate</B></U></P>
<P>The National Cultural Council of Dominica was established in 1981 to preserve and promote Dominica's cultural heritage, encourage and support creative artistic expression, and facilitate cultural exchange with other countries in the region.</P>
<P>It serves professional arts, community arts, amateur arts, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, crafts, heritage, folk or traditional culture, museums and galleries, archives, preservation and conservation of artifacts, language preservation, language training, training of artists and/or cultural workers, cultural industries, writing, book publishing, magazine publishing, 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>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>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>publishes books and/or magazines </LI></UL>
<P><U><B>The Staff</B></U></P>
<P>The Council employs 6 full-time public servants. The staff who have direct program responsibilities come from the field.</P>
<P>The organization does not have regional offices.</P>
<P><U><B>Relationship with Government</B></U></P>
<P>The Division of Culture within the Ministry of Community Development is the government department with which the Council has the closest relationship.</P>
<P>The Ministry of Community Development appoints the members of the National Cultural Council (NCC), which has a semi-autonomous relationship with government. The Council can make and implement decisions on its own. However, the government decides on its chair and membership.</P>
<P>To ensure its independence, the NCC conducts meetings and other business without much interference from government. The decisions of the Council do not depend on approval by the Minister.</P>
<P>To ensure its accountability to government, the Council must present an annual report to the Minister as well as an audited statement of its accounts.</P>
<P>The government</P>
<UL>
<LI>appoints the members of the governing body
<LI>is represented on the governing body
<LI>appoints the chief executive officer
<LI>establishes the overall policies within which the NCC works. </LI></UL>
<P>The Council</P>
<UL>
<LI>submits financial accounts audited by the government auditor or an auditor appointed by the government
<LI>determines its own current priorities
<LI>establishes its own strategic plan
<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 limits, the government can give directions to the organization. The government may from time to time ask the NCC to assist it with the implementation of certain programs for cultural development.</P>
<P>The NCC cooperates with other independent funding bodies.</P>
<P><U><B>Budget and Revenue Sources</B></U></P>
<P>The organizations total budget in the current year is $30,000 ($11,070 U.S. dollars). It does not receive annual funding from government. About 9% of the budget is contributed by the private sector, 1% comes from interest on endowments. 90% of the budget is generated by fundraising activities (cultural activities organized by the Council and rental fees received from persons renting the Old Mill Cultural Centre). Over the last five years, non-government revenues have remained at the same level.</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 its financial support programs are organized by function.</P>
<P>The 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></UL>
<P><U><B>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</B></U></P>
<P>Applications for funding are discussed and considered by the members of the Council. Priority is given to requests which fit best with the goals and objectives of the Council. The Council does not use peer assessment to select recipients. The members of the NCC represent a cros-section of cultural groups and organizations in the country, and they are the ones who decide which groups or individuals will receive funding.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Challenge</B></U></P>
<P>The biggest challenge that the National Cultural Council is facing is financial. The Council is concerned with the feasability of projects in need of funds, considering the fact that it does not receive direct funding from government and has to raise funds itself. The Council can never raise enough money to meet the costs of certain projects.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Strength</B></U></P>
<P>The Council's greatest strength appears to be the ability to assist with certain projects which otherwise might not be able to receive assistance.</P>