National Centre for Arts and Culture

The National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) is a semi-autonomous institution established in December 1989 by an Act of Parliament to preserve, promote and develop Gambian arts and culture. The Act was superseded by the NCAC Act of 2003 which provides for a governing board of eight members to control the management, property, business and funds of the centre. The President appoints the members of the board who are not ex-officio on the recommendation of the Minister responsible for the administration of the Act (Minister of Tourism and Culture), including the Chairman of the Board.

Some of the functions of the center include advising the Minister on matters of policy relating to Arts and Culture and in particular on matters relating to national languages, the creative and performing arts, monuments and relics, research and documentation, science and indigenous technology, and sports and recreation; promote and develop Gambian arts and culture; implement, monitor, co-ordinate and evaluate artistic and cultural programmes in The Gambia; promote artistic and cultural co-operation at regional and international levels; encourage, at the local level, the emergence of groups and institutions interested in the promotion of arts and culture and many others.

In addition, the NCAC is charged with the administration of the Gambia Copyright Act, 2004. The Copyright Act mandates the establishment of a copyright office under the centre and an independent body called the Gambia Collecting Society charged with the collection and distribution of royalties on behalf of rights holders.