<p><strong>The Mandate</strong></p>

<p>The Pakistan National Council of the Arts was established by legislation in 1973. The PNCA Act outlines the Councils purposes and functions as follows:</p>

<ul>
<li>To advise the federal government on matters of policy on artistic activity and their implementation,</li>
<li>To improve knowledge, understanding and the practice of the arts and advise the federal government in order to increase regional activity through systematic planning and coordination at all levels,</li>
<li>To coordinate, evaluate and supervise the activities of cultural organizations and individuals engaged in cultural activities,</li>
<li>To advise and assist the provincial governments in setting up provincial arts councils to serve as liaisons between local cultural bodies and the Council,</li>
<li>To plan, establish and run art academies, folk museums, exhibition halls, auditoria, art galleries and other similar organizations,</li>
<li>To organize exhibitions of arts and crafts within Pakistan and other countries,</li>
<li>To organize national and regional ensembles for performances within Pakistan and other countries,</li>
<li>To organize and promote cultural festivals and fairs,</li>
<li>To help, establish and organize national unions of artists,</li>
<li>To help in implementing cultural pacts and programs on direction from the federal government,</li>
<li>To maintain contacts with like organizations in other countries,</li>
<li>To set up panels of experts in specific fields of the arts where necessary, and</li>
<li>To perform any other function in the arts which the federal government may direct or which the Council may consider necessary or desirable.</li>
</ul>

<p>The PNCA serves professional arts, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, crafts, folk or traditional culture, heritage, preservation and conservation of artifacts, training of artists and/or cultural workers, writing, book publishing, magazine publishing, translation, media arts, video and arts education.</p>

<p>The Council</p>

<ul>
<li>provides financial support to arts/cultural organizations</li>
<li>provides financial support to individuals in the arts/culture</li>
<li>advises the national government on matters related to the arts/culture</li>
<li>implements national arts/cultural policies</li>
<li>conducts research in the arts/culture</li>
<li>promotes public understanding and appreciation of the arts/culture</li>
<li>has lead responsibility at the national level for coordinating international cultural relations and exchanges</li>
<li>organizes and manages cultural activities or events</li>
<li>manages cultural facilities or venues</li>
<li>awards prizes/honours in the arts/culture</li>
<li>publishes books and/or magazines</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>The Governing Body</strong></p>

<p>The management, overall control and supervision of the affairs of the Pakistan National Council of the Arts are vested in the Board of Governors. Members of the governing body are approved by the Ministry of Culture on recommendations made by the Council. The Board of Governors must represent all fields of the fine arts, with particular attention to women involved in different branches of the arts.</p>

<p>The Board may have 20 members, including, at least five women and 12 ex-officio members. The length of term is three years.</p>

<p><strong>The Staff</strong></p>

<p>The staff of the Council, currently numbering 234, are government employees. The CEO is appointed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The staff who have direct program responsibilities come from the field. The Council has regional offices, whose responsibility is to coordinate Council activities and supervise them at the provincial level and keep the head office well-informed.</p>

<p><strong>Relationship with Government</strong></p>

<p>The Pakistan National Council of the Arts is an autonomous body receiving a grant-in-aid from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth Affairs (the government department with which the Council has the closest relationship).</p>

<p>The organizations independence from government is ensured by the fact that the CEO is responsible to the Board of Governors. The Council&#39;s accountability is ensured by the fact that the Secretary is the principal accounting officer of the Ministry.</p>

<p>The Council</p>

<ul>
<li>determines its own policies</li>
<li>determines its own current priorities</li>
<li>establishes its own strategic plan</li>
<li>selects its staff members</li>
<li>determines the allocation of the budget to various programs and activities</li>
</ul>

<p>The Council cooperates with other arts funding bodies which are independent of the Council.</p>

<p><strong>Budget and Revenue Sources</strong></p>

<p>The organizations total budget in the current year is</p>

<p>16,796,000 in the national currency (or $305,000 in U.S.$). 80% is contributed by the national government, and 20% comes from self-generated revenues.</p>

<p>The Council was set up with an initial endowment from the government and receives a legally obligated government contribution. Over the last five years, funding from government has increased.</p>

<p>The Council receives and is actively pursuing revenues from non-government sources. It also generates some of its revenues itself, through fees, sales, rent, commercial shows, commissions on sales, service charges, etc.</p>

<p><strong>Programs of Financial Support for the Arts/Cultural Community</strong></p>

<p>The PNCA provides financial support to organizations and individuals. Support is provided only for professional activities.</p>

<p>Council funds can be used for</p>

<ul>
<li>research and development</li>
<li>production, presentation and exhibition</li>
<li>publication</li>
<li>operations of an organization</li>
<li>conservation and preservation</li>
</ul>

<p>The Council does not support activities falling outside its legal statute.</p>

<p><strong>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</strong></p>

<p>The PNCA does not use peer assessment. Recipients of financial support are selected on the recommendations of regional and town committees or district councils.</p>

<p><strong>Greatest Current Challenge</strong></p>

<p>The greatest challenge of the day is to create awareness in the general public about the value of the arts and culture and the importance of cultural preservation and development.</p>

<p><strong>Greatest Current Strength</strong></p>

<p>The PNCA is a national organization which can reach every corner of the country and has the potential to do great work if some assistance and training is provided to it. Lack of expertise and in some careas financial difficulties have hindered its promotion of the arts and culture.</p>

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