The N.C.C.A. Anniversary is observed on April 3 annually. N.C.C.A. stands for National Commission for Culture and the Arts and it is the official government agency for culture in the Philippines. It is the overall policy-making body, coordinating, and grants-giving agency for the preservation, development, and promotion of arts and culture. It is an executing agency for the policies it formulates; it administers the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts (N.E.F.C.A.) exclusively to implement culture and arts programs and projects.
History of NCCA Anniversary
After the People Power Revolution overthrew the dictatorship of President Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1986, the Alliance of Artists for the Creation of a Ministry of Culture (A.A.C.M.C.) drafted and adopted a proposal to establish a Ministry of Culture on March 12 that year. The Presidential Commission on Culture and the Arts (P.C.C.A.) emerged on January 30, 1987. In 1992, under a new constitution, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 7356, which institutionalized the establishment of the N.C.C.A., replacing the P.C.C.A.
The establishment of the N.C.C.A. prompted the cultural agencies attached to it to review its existing mandates and programs to harmonize the delivery of cultural services. The Cultural Center of the Philippines (C.C.P.) got transformed into the national coordinating center for the performing arts; it sought to remove its ‘elitist’ image by strengthening its outreach programs and developing collaborations with local arts councils.
On June 28, 2011, to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Jose Rizal — a revered man with great artistic talent — the N.C.C.A. created the first ‘Sentro Rizal’ at the N.C.C.A. building in Intramuros, Manila. It aims to educate overseas Filipinos about the culture and arts of the Philippines. As of May 2016, there are 18 Sentro Rizal offices worldwide.
Section 65 of the 2017 General Appropriations Act (G.A.A.) mandates that government agencies implementing programs and projects transfer public funds to civil society organizations. Therefore, the N.C.C.A.’s Board of Commissioners approved a resolution with the guidelines for the accreditation of individuals, organizations, and government agencies to be eligible for grants they offer. Government agencies, civil society organizations, peoples organizations, indigenous peoples organizations, individuals, local government units, state universities/colleges, and public schools may acquire grants from the N.C.C.A.
NCCA Anniversary timeline
The Presidential Commission on Culture and the Arts (P.C.C.A) is created.
Under a new constitution, Congress enacts Republic Act No. 7356, which gives rise to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (N.C.C.A)
The first Sentro Rizal is set up in order to educate Filipinos living abroad about the culture and arts of the Philippines.
A new law gives the N.C.C.A. the right to give grants.
NCCA Anniversary FAQs
What is the ‘Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan’ Award meant to accomplish?
The objective behind this award is to search for the finest traditional artists of the land, reward them and then transfer their skills to others.
Does the National Museum of the Philippines promote culture and arts?
Yes, they do. They acquire, document, preserve, exhibit, and foster the scholarly study and public appreciation of works of art, specimens, and cultural and historical artifacts representative of the cultural heritage of the Filipinos and the country’s natural history.
What are the four sub-commissions on National Commission for Culture and the Arts?
The four sub-commissions are as follows: Subcommission on the Arts (S.C.A.), Subcommission on Cultural Heritage (S.C.H.), Subcommission on Cultural Dissemination (S.C.D.), and Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts (S.C.C.T.A.)
NCCA Anniversary Activities
Apply for an N.C.C.A. grant
If you are artistically inclined and meet their requirements, you may be eligible for an N.C.C.A. grant. You can apply as an individual or for your organization or community.
Visit the Sentro Rizal gallery
The Sentro Rizal is choke full of Philippine history and culture. What better way to mark this day than to spend time at this resource center which is also a gallery.
Attend a School of Living Traditions
The School of Living Traditions is another program by the N.C.C.A. They teach indigenous knowledge or skills on a particular art, craft, and tradition to young people.
5 Surprising Facts About The Philippines
It’s an archipelago of numerous Islands
The country consists of 7641 islands ― 534 were added in 2017, and people inhabit 2000.
It has the third largest Catholic population
About 80% of the Philippines population is Roman Catholic.
They have the second oldest basketball association
The Philippines Basketball Association began in 1975.
The longest game of basketball
They hold the Guinness World Record for the longest basketball game ever played, lasting 120 hours, one minute, and seven seconds in 2014.
Christmas here starts in September
Christmas is a holiday season that starts in September.
Why We Love NCCA Anniversary
Supporting national and local art is vital
It’s easy for people to gravitate toward popular art from countries such as the U.S. Organizations like the N.C.C.A. exist to preserve and promote national and local culture.
It’s a day to learn indigenous traditions
Thanks to the School of Living Traditions program, it’s now easier than ever for people to learn indigenous traditions. Learning about one’s cultural roots is always a good thing to do.
It’s a day to consider visiting an art gallery
This day can serve as a change of pace from film, music, books, and others to experience something we usually don’t. Take a stroll through an art gallery and marvel at what is on offer.
NCCA Anniversary dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 3 | Thursday |
| 2026 | April 3 | Friday |
| 2027 | April 3 | Saturday |
| 2028 | April 3 | Monday |
| 2029 | April 3 | Tuesday |
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