The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the country’s leading government agency for arts and culture headed by its chairman Felipe de Leon, Jr., encourages cultural and art groups, academic institutions, local arts organizations, non-government organizations involved in culture and arts, and others to submit their project proposals for the NCCA  Competitive Grants Program for 2015. Deadline is on August 31, 2014.

The priority projects for 2015 have been defined by the 19  national committees under the four subcomissions which are the National Committee on Architecture and Allied Arts, National Committee on Cinema, National Committee on Dance, National Committee on Dramatic Arts, National Committee on Literary Arts, National Committee on Music, and National Committee on Visual Arts of the Subcommission on the Arts; Northern, Central and Southern Cultural Communities of the Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts;  National Committees on Archives, Art Galleries, Libraries and Information Services, Historical Research, Monuments and Sites, Museums under the Subcommission on Cultural Heritage; and under the Subcomission on Cultural Dissemination,  the National Committees on Cultural Education, Communication, and Language and Translation.

 Mahatao Church

Conservation management plan of heritage structures, such as the Mahatao Church in Batanes, is a priority project

As underlying theme, projects to be funded by the NCCA must capture the aspiration of the arts and culture community, expressed by NCCA’s vision in the 21st century: “Filipino culture as the wellspring of national and global well being.”

Furthermore, projects must establish culture as pillar of sustainable development, advance creativity and diversity of artistic expression, and promote a strong sense of nationhood and pride in being Filipino through culture and arts.

Through the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA), the NCCA Grants Program provides support to individuals and organizations in fields that are aligned with the Philippine culture and arts and in accordance with the defined priorities of each of the national committees. The NCCA provides funds for projects for the promotion, development and conservation of Philippine culture and arts, and it continuously encourage collaborative efforts which provides significant contributions to the realization of the mandate of the NCCA.

Each year, the NCCA Board of Commissioners, in coordination with the four subcommissions, defines its thrusts and priorities anchored on the following major programs for 2013-2016: Program for Cultural Education, Program for Cultural Diplomacy, Program for Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Program for Culture and Development, and Program for Artistic Excellence and Creativity.

Interested individuals or groups can avail of NCCA assistance by submitting a project proposal under the NCCA Competitive Grants, or file a request under the Institutional Programs, namely, NCCA Outreach Program, Experts and Resource Persons Bureau and Technical Assistance Program.

T’boli festival

Proposals for traditional community festivals, like this T’boli festival in Lake Sebu, is highly encouraged

Accomplished project proposals must be submitted to Marichu G. Tellano, chief of Policy, Plan Formulation and Programming Division (PPFPD), 5th Floor, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), 633 General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, with telephone number (63-2) 527-2192, fax numbers (63-2) 527-2198 and 522-2084, and emails [email protected] and [email protected].

Proposal submission through electronic mail (email) are accepted provided that all project documents are complete and with scanned signature of the official proponent/head of the organization/LGU. Absence of the signature of the proponent shall be considered unofficial.

Proposals must be stamped received by the Policy/Plan Formulation and Programming Division of the NCCA on or before August 31, 2014. Late or incomplete project proposal will not be considered. Only one proposal per proponent can be submitted to NCCA. Copy of the project proposal form may be obtained at the PPFPD office or may be downloaded at www.ncca.gov.ph (Go to “Grants Program”).

For inquiries on the NCCA Grants Programs, please get in touch with the Planning, Policy Formulation and Programming Division (PPFPD) through direct line 527-2214, or trunkline 527-2192 local 509 (SCA); 501 (SCCTA); 506(SCH); and 511(SCD). Email addresses are [email protected], [email protected], and  [email protected]. Also, check out Web site.

For more information, contact  NCCA Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO) head, Rene Sanchez Napenas at (632) 527-2192 or 0928-5081057; or log on to www.ncca.gov.ph or email us at [email protected].