HISTORY OF FIJI ARTS COUNCIL
The Fiji Arts Council (FAC) was established in 1964 under the Charitable Trust Act initially as a coordinating body to present overseas artists in Fiji. This role was later expanded to include the important task of preserving, revitalising and promoting of all art forms which currently includes Performing Arts, Heritage Arts, Fashion & Design, Visual Arts and Floral Arts.
OUR VISION
“A supported Fijian arts sector that values its indigenous knowledge and skills, and embraces innovative thinking, inclusivity, and creative practice”
OUR MISSION
The Fiji Arts Council is a non-profit institution working to achieve its vision through the following:
- To support artists and arts organizations in their endeavor to continue indigenous arts practices, to innovate, create and strive for excellence in their chosen arts practice.
- To be inclusive and engaging by involving all arts stakeholders in national conversations about the arts.
- To foster learning of the arts in our education system through the relevant Arts Education Program inaugurated.
- To sustain the Fiji Arts Council financially through innovative grant sourcing initiatives and investment opportunities.
- To coordinate and assist in capacity building of artists, artisans and arts stakeholders.
- To harness the economic and income generating opportunities for an engaging arts sector.
OUR VALUES & PRINCIPLES
The Fiji Arts Council will espouse these values and principles so that services rendered are accessible, inclusive and ethical:
- Acknowledge the vanua and its custodians – their traditions and customs, and their continued connection the land (qele), sea (qoliqoli)
- Instill a culture of reverence for indigenous arts practice and cultural protocols, while recognizing and embracing innovation, creativity and excellence.
- Promote empathy with respect to others and an appreciation of the diversity of human experience and cultures.
- Foster civic behaviors in the work activities and participate in programs that help produce “engaged citizens”.
- Work to promote peace-building and healing in our communities through the use of artistic interventions.
- A healthy work environment that espouses the wellbeing of its personnel and core stakeholders as paramount.
- Safeguarding of artists and artisans including vulnerable, marginalized communities to avoid exploitation and discriminatory behaviors.
- Work strategically to exhaust all avenues and mechanisms while assisting artists always.
- The FAC will carry out its dealings with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
- Impart principles of talanoa (dialogue) and solesolevaki (solidarity) in decision making and undertaking activities for the arts.