The project of ‘Cultural Mapping of India’ under which data of artists shall be collected, has been initiated by the Ministry of Culture in order to carry out a survey on Cultural Topography of the country. A number of meetings of experts has been held since 15th May, 2015 in order to conceptualize the project.
The work of entry of data of artists has been assigned to Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), New Delhi.
So far Data on more than 55 lakhs artists has been collected. Ministry is also taking the help of State Governments and other organizations to collect the data of artists.
Under this scheme, a Web Portal would be developed through National Informatics Centre (NIC) for collection of data directly from artistes online for cultural mapping, which will serve as an Artist Repository and which can be used in future for the purpose of providing grant-in aid under various cultural schemes administered by this Ministry.
In order to generate fund and to run the Mission, a Draft Mission Document has been prepared by a Sub-Committee of Experts constituted for this purpose.
Once the mission document of Cultural Mapping of India gets finalized, this will be sent for consultation to NITI Aayog and other Ministries.
The mandate of Ministry of Culture is to preserve, promote, explore and share India’s culture and heritage along with its ethos and values for the benefit of mankind.
In pursuance of this vision, among others, Ministry has been administering a few finance-based schemes to identify, nurture hand-hold and train the upcoming and budding artistes on a sustained basis.
This is carried out by way of grant of scholarships, fellowships, pensions, and other forms of grants/assistance.
With a view to reach every nook and corner throughout the length and breadth of the country; there is a need to have data-base of such art forms and artists, which we refer to as cultural mapping”.
This could consolidate the data at one place in a systematic manner and help us to streamline and rationalize various financial grant schemes being implemented by the Ministry for artists and cultural organizations, and ensure effectiveness, transparency and value for money.