APPLICATIONS are now open for the selection of National Performing Arts Companies in ballet and contemporary dance, theater, outstanding choral music, and indigenous performing ensembles.

The National Performing Arts Companies Act or NPAC was enacted into law through Republic Act No. 11392 on August 22, 2018.  The law was established to provide a framework for the selection of National Performing Arts Companies, designating for the purpose of certain performing arts genres and appropriating funds.

National status is designated for a period of five (5) years to five (5) performing arts companies, each representing one of the following genres: ballet or contemporary dance, theater, orchestra, choral company and indigenous performing ensemble.

The NPACs’ roles and functions include the following:

• Undertake a continuing program of training and education for the professional development of performing artists, teachers, directors, designers, performing arts managers, and other artists particular to its performing arts field.

• Conduct research relative to particular performing arts genre and undertake documentation of its activities and programs for the preservation and dissemination of Filipino masterpieces in the performing arts.

• Organize and present a regular annual season of performances at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and other venues in the country.

• Develop and build a repertoire of original Filipino works that will help define the country’s national cultural identity.

• Maintain and promote a standard of artistic excellence in its field that will help elevate the performing arts in the country.

• Conduct national outreach and exchange program of performances, workshops, and seminars for the development and promotion of the performing arts in the regions.

• Undertake international outreach program as Philippine cultural ambassadors and perform during State functions for visiting dignitaries.

• Conduct continuing audience development program and help promote greater awareness and appreciation of the performing arts among the public.

• Maintain a viable sustainable performing arts organization and help set a standard for effective and efficient performing arts management.

Criteria for selecting the NPACs are as follows:

• It is national in scope, as it tackles and presents the arts, culture, traditions, issues and concerns of the nation, drawing the best talents from all over the country and contributing to the development of a national cultural consciousness.

• It maintains the highest standards of artistic excellence manifested in the quality of its performances, artists, training programs, and other activities.
• It is world-class, having represented the country in numerous touring engagements, festivals, competitions and international events, and having been acclaimed by foreign organizations, audiences, and critics alike.

• It has maintained a professional track record of regular and continuing set of activities in pursuit of its mission.

• It can maintain a viable and sustainable organization to support its programs, and have the capability to match the allocated annual subsidy from the government.

Further, the NPAC must meet the following requirements:

1. It must be financially capable to handle its funds in accordance with existing and relevant government accounting and auditing rules and regulations;

1. It must be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by the time of its application; and,

1. It must be a non-government organization that has been in existence and actively operational for the last five (5) years prior to the application period.

The National Performing Arts Companies will be selected by a 15-member Committee chosen from a panel of experts by the NCCA and CCP.

Upon selection, the NPACs shall be entitled to the following:

• Ten million pesos (PhP10,000,000.00) a year each for the National Ballet/Contemporary Dance Company, the National Theater Company, and the National Orchestra for a period of five (5) years renewable upon evaluation for performance, research, documentation, and commissioned work.

• Five million pesos (PhP5,000,000.00) a year each for the National Choral Company and the National Indigenous Performing Ensemble for a period of five (5) years, renewable upon evaluation for performance, research, documentation, and commissioned work.

• Free and equitable use of government facilities and cultural venues, specifically the CCP venue and other government venues devoted to cultural and artistic performances, based on a stipulated frequency of usage.

• Access to grants for research, documentation, productions, workshops, trainings and audience development programs from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), subject to proper evaluation and availability of funds.

• Intellectual property rights to their work, including music, choreographs, and other artistic creations.  Likewise, they shall enjoy the right to public performance fixation.  They shall further be entitled to the reproduction, authorization, and distribution of fixations in accordance with intellectual property laws.

Performing arts companies that apply but are not selected may try again in the next five-year period. Funding will be available to three applicant performing arts companies per genre provided they pass the scoring requirements.  The three “runner-up” companies will be called National Performing Arts Grantees, or NPAGs.

A maximum of fifteen (15) NPAGs, or three (3) from each of the next most qualified applicants, shall be entitled to a subsidy of one million pesos (PhP1,000,000.00) a year for a period of five (5) years, renewable upon evaluation, for performance, research, documentation, and commissioned work.

Deadline for submission of the application form and complete set of material requirements to the Cultural Center of the Philippines Annex Building at the CCP Complex (across Philippine International Convention Center) is on or before March 15, 2024.

 Download the application form here: https://bit.ly/4bfoUEP

For more information visit:  https://bit.ly/4bbx2pG

 Read the Republic Act No. 11392 and the amended IRR here: https://bit.ly/3SwPJN9