Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

CITIZEN EXCHANGES –
CULTURAL PROGRAMS DIVISION
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The Cultural Programs Division carries out a targeted program of cultural activities based on the goals of the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961. These activities promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and other countries. They serve to highlight, for selected foreign audiences, the creativity, and dynamism of American society and the contributions that diversity has made to its accomplishments. Cultural programs also underscore the respect that the United States holds for the achievements of other national cultures.

The U.S. participants in these programs are professional American artists, filmmakers, musicians and other specialists. These programs are not U.S. students or for adult study. The American participants in these programs enrich their work through exposure to other cultures, while foreign audiences and partners are equally influenced by the exposure to the arts in the U.S. The participation of U.S. cultural institutions and artists in these program enhances their international profiles and reputation, links them to partner institutions overseas and provides them with access to the Department of State's years of expertise in overseas programming.

The Cultural Programs Division's activities are structured to provide participating American and foreign institutions and artists with a richer understanding of their fields overseas and build international partnerships, while meeting the needs of American Embassies overseas. The programs create partnerships among the Department of State, American institutions, and foreign institutions to create presentations that showcase overseas the achievements of the arts in America, promote respect for cultural diversity and understanding along with activities that promote the role of culture in economic development, conflict resolution, and democracy-building. Also included are literature programs, cultural preservation and conservation projects, and initiatives that highlight intellectual property rights, the use of the arts to promote greater awareness of social issues such as human rights, the role of women in society, drug prevention, and environmental protection.

For further information, contact:
Cultural Programs Division Staff (ECA/PE/C/CU)
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
U.S. Department of State
SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW, Suite 568
Washington, D.C. 20547
(phone) 202/619-4779
(fax) 202/619-6315

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