THE SEYCHELLES NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CULTURE, HERITAGE AND THE ARTS, REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES.

Established in the Republic of  Seychelles on the 23^rd October 2021, under Act 43 of 2021, the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts is an institution of policy making on culture, heritage and the arts. The Culture Institute also coordinates the advancement, promotion preservation and strengthening of the cultural values and identity of the Seychellois people.

MANDATE

To undertake steps for the realisation of Article 39 of the Constitution of Seychelles:

“Article 39 (1) The State recognises the right of every person to take part in cultural life and to profess, promote, enjoy and protect the cultural and customary values of the Seychellois people…

(2) The State undertakes to take reasonable steps to ensure the preservation of the cultural heritage and values of the Seychellois people”. (Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles, 1993)

The Seychelles National Institute for Culture and Heritage will promote the right to freedom of expression, to create a favourable environment conducive to the development and enjoyment of the Seychellois cultural life, values and Creole identity.

POLICY VISION

A Seychellois nation proud of its culture, heritage and diversity united by our Creole identity as enshrined in the  Preamble of Constitution of Seychelles

“…AWARE AND PROUD that as descendants of different races we have learnt to learn to live together as ONE nation under God and can serve as an example for a harmonious multi-racial society;…”

POLICY MISSION

To safeguard, preserve and promote the culture, heritage and the creole identity of the Seychellois people as an island nation.

FUNCTIONS OF THE INSTITUTE

The functions of the National Institute are to—

(a) formulate policies for the identification, preservation, conservation, restoration, promotion for the sustainable development of the creole culture, heritage and arts of Seychelles and to have supervision, direction and control over the constituent institutions;

(b) advise the Government on policies on culture, heritage and the arts of Seychelles and to ensure preservation of the Seychellois identity, culture, and heritage;

(c) administer a recognition award programme for special achievement and important contribution in the area of culture, the arts and heritage;

(d) ensure the promotion and appreciation of the Seychellois creole culture and identity by providing opportunities for every Seychellois to experience cultural life and to develop their creative abilities and skills;

(e) encourage artistic excellence and innovation by promoting and developing artistic and creative strengths nationally and internationally to maximise societal, economic and reputational values for the country;

(f) provide equal access to cultural and artistic resources;

(h) engage, and support the different forms of media for the development and promotion of culture, heritage and the arts;

(i) promote intercultural cooperation both nationally and internationally in the fields culture, heritage and the arts;

(j) support the organisation of exhibitions and programs to educate, and sensitise the society;

(k) create, preserve and exhibit a national collection of Seychellois artworks;

(l) acquire, build, restore properties and artefacts of national, cultural and heritage importance relevant to the Seychellois culture heritage and the arts;

(m) support events, programmes and activities for the preservation, promotion and transmission of tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Seychelles;

(n) administer and manage small grants, subsidy schemes and the National Cultural Fund;

(o) regulate artist and performers in the creative industry by way of permits; and

(p) perform such other functions as may be assigned to it by any other Act.

STRUCTURE

The Institute will be headed by the Secretary General for Culture, Heritage and the Arts appointed by the Head of State. The Secretary General for Culture shall be the Head and Chief Executive of the National Institute and shall be responsible for supervision, control and the day-to-day administration of the affairs of the National Institute.

The Secretary General is a fulltime civil servant representing the Culture Sector at the highest level of government, at the Cabinet level. There shall be a Permanent Secretary who shall act as Executive Secretary to the Advisory Council and be responsible for the administrative matters of the institute.

The Advisory Council, advises the Secretary General on matters related to policies and other matters of national importance and significance affecting the Seychellois Creole culture; act as a think tank to propose solutions, debate and decide upon matters relating to the Seychellois culture and provide vision and direction for the functioning of the constituent institutions, sections and programmes of the National Institute.

The Institute is a self-governing and independent body under the authority of the Head of State.  The Institute is an executive monitoring agency for the policies it formulates. It also administers a national cultural fund for supporting its functions and for the implementation of major culture, heritage and arts projects.

The constituent institutions will be the main implementation bodies of the institute’s policies and under the leadership of the institute.