West Bank women at painting workshops in Ramallah

The Cultural Programs Division supports a variety of cultural exchange programs that further our nation's foreign policy, foster America's artistic excellence and promote mutual understanding and respect for other cultures and traditions. Our hope is to encourage cross-cultural understanding and collaboration by sharing the rich artistic traditions of the United States with foreign audiences. American arts and culture reflect our nation's democratic principles, showcase the diversity of our society, and provide an excellent vehicle to engage and connect with audiences abroad. The ability of cultural programs to promote mutual understanding and create a platform for ongoing international relations makes them a critical component of our public diplomacy efforts. Cultural diplomacy transcends borders, languages and generations, demonstrates our common humanity, and fosters an appreciation of other cultures while conveying the unique spirit and values of America.

The Cultural Programs Division of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs carries out a range of cultural exchange programs based on the goals of the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961. The Division's activities encompass programs in the visual arts, performing arts, film, arts education, arts management, and cultural studies. Individual programs in each of these disciplines may range from public exhibitions and public performances to educational outreach activities such as screenings, master classes, production workshops and any of the broad range of arts activities that support the arts and humanities field in the U.S. and around the world. Some programs are supported through grants to U.S. non-profit arts and educational institutions as well as grants to individual cultural representatives. American participants in these programs are professional artists, filmmakers, musicians, educators and other arts specialists. Reciprocity is a key component of these exchange programs, with American and overseas participants enriching one another's work through exposure to other cultures, ideas and ways of thinking. The cultural division also generates new programs and initiatives that build on important opportunities and public/private partnership opportunities. As with all of our public diplomacy exchange programs, our cultural exchanges seek to empower, educate, and engage foreign audiences and American participants to foster a sense of common interests and common values and offer people throughout the world a positive vision of hope and opportunity that is rooted in America's belief in freedom, justice, opportunity and respect for all.