<P><U><B>The Mandate</B></U></P>
<P>Established in 1992 by legislation, the State Fund for Culture is charged with fundraising (with sources outside government) and providing financial support to cultural projects.</P>
<P>The organization serves professional arts, community arts, amateur arts, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, crafts, cultural animation, heritage, folk or traditional culture, museums and galleries, libraries, archives, preservation and conservation of artifacts, writing, book publishing, translation, media arts, film, video and television.</P>
<P><U>The Fund</U></P>
<UL>
<LI>provides financial support to arts/cultural organisations
<LI>provides financial support to individuals in the arts/culture
<LI>implements national arts/cultural policies </LI></UL>
<P><U><B>The Governing Body</B></U></P>
<P>The Council of the State Fund of Culture is the organisation's governing body. It is composed of 13 experts in the field of culture and cinematography appointed for three years by the Parliament.</P>
<P><U><B>The Staff</B></U></P>
<P>The Fund's chief executive officer is appointed by the governing body and all staff members are public servants working full time. Those who have direct program responsibilities (those who manage programs of support to organisations and/or individuals) come from the field. The organisation does not have regional offices.</P>
<P><U><B>Budget and Revenue Sources</B></U></P>
<P>The State Fund budget is provided by private sector contributions and self-generated revenues. The Fund is actively pursuing revenues from non-government sources and is expected to raise funds by the government. Some of its current revenues are generated by bank account interest and successful projects.</P>
<P><U><B>Programs of Financial Support for the Arts/Cultural Community</B></U></P>
<P>The Fund provides financial support to organisations and individuals. Applicants have to pay an entry fee. Most support programs are organised by discipline or sector.</P>
<P>The funds can be used for :</P>
<UL>
<LI>creation
<LI>production, presentation and exhibition
<LI>publication
<LI>operations of an organisation
<LI>conservation and preservation </LI></UL>
<P><U><B>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</B></U></P>
<P>The Council of the State Fund for Culture assesses applications for financial support. To avoid conflicts of interest, members must not participate in the projects they assess.</P>
<P><U><B>Special Features of the Organisation</B></U></P>
<P>Necessity of changing laws which were formed after the change of the economic system.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Challenge</B></U></P>
<P>The greatest challenge facing the organisation is widening the scope of fundraising sources.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Strength</B></U></P>
<P>The good functioning of the State Fund for Culture is considered the greatest strength.</P>
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