<P>&nbsp;<STRONG><U>The Mandate </U></STRONG></P>
<P>The Fiji Arts Council was established by executive decision of the government in 1963. </P>
<P>The organisation serves professional arts, community&nbsp;arts, amateur arts, music,&nbsp;dance, visual arts, crafts,&nbsp;folk or traditional arts, training of artists and/or cultural workers, cultural industries,&nbsp;media arts, arts education and art and craft workshops at grassroots levels.</P>
<P><STRONG><U>The Council</U></STRONG></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>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&nbsp;
<LI>organises and manages cultural activities or events
<LI>awards prizes/honours in the arts/culture
<LI>arts and craft workshops for grassroots people
<LI>conducts craft fairs, art exhibitions and competitions (e.g. crafts, dance)
<LI>organises Pacific Cultural Festivals, representing Fiji
<LI>organises Melanesian festivals</LI></UL>
<P><U><B>The Governing Body</B></U></P>
<P>The Council is guided by a constitution and is currently establsihing a cultural policy.&nbsp; The board members of the Fiji Arts Council are appointed by the minister for a period of two years, and represent the cultural community and various ethnic groups on Fiji.&nbsp; There are nine serving members including the Department of Culture and Heritage.</P>
<P><U><B>The Staff</B></U></P>
<P>There are four staff members at Fiji Arts Council, three staff are appointed by the board and the CEO is a&nbsp;civil servant&nbsp;appointed by the governing body.&nbsp; The staff have direct program responsibilities and have usually had experience working 'in the field'.</P>
<P><U><B>Relationship with Government</B></U></P>
<P>The Council has a close relationship with the Department of Culture and Heritage, being one of the three flagship organisations under the the department, which in turn is under the Ministry of Fijian Affairs.&nbsp; The Prime Minister is the Minister of Fijian Affairs.&nbsp; </P>
<P>An annual grant from the Ministry is&nbsp;allocated to the Council through the Department of Culture and Heritage.&nbsp; The Council is required to file an annual report with the legislature and its financial accounts are audited by an auditor appointed by the government.</P>
<P>The allocation of the organisation's budget to various programs and activities is in part determined by government and in part by the organisation.</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
<LI>establishes the overall policies within which the organisation works
<LI>establishes the organisation's current priorities
<LI>determines the allocation of the budget to various programs and activities
<LI>establishes the various funding programs of the organisation</LI></UL>
<P>The Council</P>
<UL>
<LI>determines its own policies
<LI>establishes its various funding programs
<LI>determines who will receive its financial support </LI></UL>
<P>&nbsp;<U><B>Budget and Revenue Sources:</B></U></P>
<P>The organisation's total budget in&nbsp;the current year is F$40,000 &nbsp;(US$20,000).&nbsp; Of this amount, 50%&nbsp; is contributed by national government, 45% is contributed by the private sector, 3% is self-generated income and 2% comes from interest on investments/endowments.&nbsp; The Council is permitted to seek sponsorship and funds from the private sector or the running of workshops and festivals and to assist emerging artists in their development.</P>
<P>Over the last five years Council's funding from&nbsp;government has doubled, whereas income from other sources has remained static. </P>
<P><U><B>Programs of Financial Support for the Arts/Cultural Community</B></U></P>
<P>The Council provides financial support to organisations and individuals for professional activities. Most of its programs are organised by discipline or sector and by function within the art forms listed above.&nbsp; The Council also provides funding to lower levels of government.</P>
<P>The funds can be used for</P>
<UL>
<LI>creation
<LI>production, presentation and exhibition
<LI>publication
<LI>conservation and preservation </LI></UL>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Challenge</B></U></P>
<P>The Council is seeking higher levels of funding in order to develop further, and to raise staff levels.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Strength</B></U></P>
<P>Although the staff team is small, it is very experienced, with most staff having 10-15 years of experience, and due to its small size, the team works cooperatively.</P>