NCCA announces Sept. 30 deadline for artists’ grant proposals

Scenes from Filipino film classics like “Noli Me Tangere” and “Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim”

With the aim of developing, protecting and preserving Philippine culture and arts, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has announced that it will be accepting project proposals for the 2021 Competitive Grants Program (CGP) until Sept. 30.

The commission, led by chair Arsenio “Nick” J. Lizaso, gives grants to “artists and cultural groups that contribute significantly to the Filipino’s cultural legacy as means to extend artistic achievement.”In a statement, the NCCA explained that the CGP is anchored in its “vision of a Filipino people with a strong sense of nationhood and deep respect for cultural diversity and aligned with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) on culture.”

The CGP has three elements: Project-based, of which the eligible proponents are Filipino citizens based in the Philippines, local government units, state universities and colleges, public schools, indigenous peoples’ organizations, peoples’ organizations, government agencies, and civil society organizations;

Second is the competitive element, of which the approval of a project proposal must pass through a rigorous and confidential evaluation process based on merit such as quality and relevance to Commission priorities;

Lastly, the fund transfer, of which the approved projects are entitled to funding subject to applicable government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

Interested organizations or individuals must submit only one project proposal. For more inquiries, contact the NCCA or visit its website, NCCA.gov.ph. —Marinel Cruz INQ