<P><U><B>The Mandate</B></U></P>
<P>Established in 1991 by legislation, the National Arts Council helps nurture the arts and develop Singapore into a vibrant global city for the arts. The functions of the National Arts Council are:</P>
<UL>
<LI>to promote excellence in the arts
<LI>to promote conditions conducive to the advancement of artistic activities in Singapore
<LI>to promote the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of the arts
<LI>to support and assist in the establishment and development of arts organizations
<LI>to encourage the support of the arts by any persons or bodies or organizations
<LI>to organize and promote artistic activities in Singapore
<LI>to provide, and encourage the provision of, opportunities for persons to practise the arts and to receive training in the arts and arts administration
<LI>to promote incentives for, and recognition of, achievement in the practice of the arts
<LI>to establish and maintain arts facilities including performing arts centres, galleries, theatres, concert halls and rehearsal facilities, and other facilities and conveniences therewith
<LI>to promote the arts of Singapore overseas through artistic exchange and other activities; and
<LI>to advise the Government, either of its own motion or upon request made to it by the Minister, on matters connected with the promotion of the arts or otherwise related to the performance of its functions. </LI></UL>
<P>The organization serves professional arts, community arts, amateur arts, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, traditional culture, training of artists and/or cultural workers, writing, book publishing, translation, multi-media 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 (To be carried out when the Centre for Research and Development in the Arts is established)
<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>organizes 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>publishes books and/or magazines </LI></UL>
<P><U><B>The Governing Body</B></U></P>
<P>Council members are appointed by the Minister for Information and the Arts. Members appointed include representatives of organizations that the Council has identified as key strategic partners, e.g Singapore Tourism Board, Peoples Association, individuals with knowledge and experience in the arts, and members from the business community.</P>
<P>The governing body is permitted to have not more than 27 members or fewer than 12, including Chairman and Deputy Chairman. Members hold office for a term of 3 years or a shorter period as the Minister may determine.</P>
<P><U><B>The Staff</B></U></P>
<P>The 124 full time staff members are government employees. At the current time, 25 people are also working on contract. The chief executive officer is appointed by the Council with approval from the Minister.</P>
<P>Senior and middle management normally have direct knowledge and experience of the field. However, for the junior staff, working experience in the arts is not a pre-requisite.</P>
<P>The Council does not have regional offices.</P>
<P><U><B>Relationship with Government</B></U></P>
<P>The Arts & Heritage Division of the Ministry of Information and the Arts is the government department with which the organization has the closest relationship.</P>
<P>The Council is a statutory board established by an Act of Parliament, placed under the Ministry of Information and the Arts. It is a body corporate with its own governing Council.</P>
<P>Government provides a block provision of money to the Council. Council has the discretion to allocate the money to its various programs. Council is also given the authority to recruit staff and develop its own strategic plans within the national policy framework.</P>
<P>The Council submits an annual report to Parliament. Its performance is measured against an agreed set of performance indicators. The National Arts Council Act provides that the Council is required to give the Minister for Information and the Arts such information with regard to its property and activities as the Minister may require.</P>
<P>The goverment</P>
<UL>
<LI>appoints the members of the governing body
<LI>is represented on the governing body
<LI>establishes the overall policies within which the organization works
<LI>determines the amount of funding the organization receives </LI></UL>
<P>The Council</P>
<UL>
<LI>is required to file an annual report with the legislature or government
<LI>determines its own current priorities
<LI>establishes its own strategic plan
<LI>selects its 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 limits, the government can give directions to the organization. The government sets the national policies but the Council is given flexibility in drawing up its strategic plans and implementation program.</P>
<P>The Council has little relationship with other funding bodies.</P>
<P><U><B>Budget and Revenue Sources</B></U></P>
<P>The Council's total budget in the current year is</P>
<P>S $31,260,000 (or $18,230,000 U.S. dollars). 64 % is provided annually by the national government, from the governments general culture budget. 10 % of the budget comes from private sector contributions, 16 % from self-generated revenues, 1 % interest on investments and 9 % other sources.</P>
<P>The Council can provide tax benefits for contributions. It is expected to raise funds from non-government sources and is actively pursuing revenues from non-government sources.</P>
<P>The Council generates some of its revenues through the management of theatre venues. It also secures sponsorships for many of its arts activities. These include the Singapore Arts Festival, outreach programs, exhibitions and competitions. The public is also encouraged to donate to the arts. Contributions made to the arts are given tax exempt and recognized through the Patron of the Arts Award Scheme and the Arts Supporter Award Scheme. Over the last five years, funds from non-government sources have increased.</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 discipline or sector.</P>
<P>The funds can be used for</P>
<UL>
<LI>research and development
<LI>production, presentation and exhibition
<LI>publication
<LI>the operations of an organization
<LI>capital expenses </LI></UL>
<P>Direct grant aid from the Council cannot be used for projects without Singaporean participation or for academic research, fundraising events for non-arts charities, small-scale competitions, performance art, and forum theatre.</P>
<P>The Council houses arts groups in conserved buildings and schools at a subsidized rate under its Arts Housing Scheme. Although this is not direct grant aid, the Council spends an estimated S$3,200,000 ($1,900,000 U.S.) in rental subsidies for its arts groups.</P>
<P><U><B>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</B></U></P>
<P>Major block grant applications are assessed annually by a panel of peer assessors for each art form. However, small-scale project grant applications are assessed internally throughout the year, with inputs from members of the peer assessment panel.</P>
<P>Peer assessors are selected from a panel of Arts Resource members and Arts Advisors who are appointed by the Council for a 2-year term. They are appointed based on their track record of contributions to and achievements in the national and international arts scene as well as on their specialized training and knowledge of a particular art form.</P>
<P>Peer assessors make funding recommendations, which are subject to the final approval of the Council. There are no limits on the number of times or the period of time in which a person may serve as a peer assessor.</P>
<P>To prevent conflict of interest, assessors are obliged to disclose their interests prior to any grant assessment meeting and are required to absent themselves from the meeting if necessary.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Challenge</B></U></P>
<P>The current greatest challenge is to implement the recommendations made in the Renaissance City Report. Key recommendations to be implemented by the NAC are :</P>
<P>a) expansion of the arts education program in schools</P>
<P>b) establishment of a Centre for Research and Development in the Arts</P>
<P>c) Develop major arts companies for Singapore</P>
<P>d) Discover, groom and recognize promising artistic talent</P>
<P>e) Promote Singaporean arts and artists in the international arena, strengthen cultural relations and encourage international collaborations</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Strength</B></U></P>
<P>The organizations greatest strength at the present time is the fact that it is recognized as the national agency for the arts in Singapore and seen as the vehicle that will deliver the Renaissance City deliverables.</P>
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