Office of the President
P.O.Box 6051
Palau, PW
96940
Ph: 680 488-2403/2828
Fx: 680 488-2424/1662 |
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Bureau of Arts and Culture
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Ministry of Community & Cultural Affairs
P.O. Box 100
Koror, Republic of Palau 96940
Phone: (680) 488-2489/3361
Fax: (680) 488-2657/3594
E-mail: histpres@palaunet.com
New Director: Walter Metes
Our Mission:
The Bureau of Arts and Culture, in accordance with enabling legislations and applicable regulations and standards, is responsible to protect and preserve the tangible and intangible historic and cultural resources of Palau and ensure that the opportunities for education and enjoyment of Palau's cultural heritage is available for everyone.
The Bureau of Arts and Culture is dedicated to preserving the cultural and historical heritage of Palau. Bureau archaeologists work to preserve and understand ancient villages, terraces, stone monuments, and artifacts. Our Ethnographers work closely with elders to insure skills, lifeways, and values developed over thousands of years can continue to inform our lives today. The Bureau is steadily increasing its capabilities by encouraging staff development and striving to upgrade its research equipment. We are proud that the Bureau has been a recipient of the National Park Service's Cultural Program Award for Outstanding Historic Preservation Program in Micronesia. Whether you visit us in our home office or see us at work in the field, please take a minute and say hello. We welcome your ideas and contributions!
-Victoria Kanai, Director (Retired Nov. 2005) |
Program Area: Administration and Planning
The Bureau of Arts and Culture is supported by the Palauan government as well as the Historic Preservation Fund, provided through the U.S. National Park Service. The Bureau works closely with its grant agency at the U.S. National Park Service to insure that its products and services meet the highest possible profesional standards. The Bureau also seeks support through grants, donations, and special projects.
The Bureau also organizes the annual Oleochtel Belau Fair, where Palauan traditions are displayed for the public. We also helped coordinate and organize the 9th Festival of Pacific Arts, held in Palau from July 22-31, 2004.
The Bureau recieves assistance and advice in meeting its mission through the 16-member Palau Historical and Cultural Advisory Board. Each member is appointed by the president of the Republic of Palau to represent their respective states for a 4-year term. |
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Program Area: Survey & Inventory and Project Review/Archaeology
All cultural and historical sites of Palau, including underwater sites, are managed by the Bureau's Survey and Inventory Section. This section carries out annual site inventories and conducts project review and section 106 compliance. Information about all identified cultural and historical sites in Palau are compiled in a database. The Survey and Inventory section works with university based researchers at the University of Oregon, Australian National University and others. They also work cooperatively with Palau Community College and other schools in Palau in education programs and outreach for all age groups. |
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Program Area: Oral History & Ethnography
The Oral History and Ethnography Section works to preserve the cultural resources still held in the living memory of Palauans. In particular we are working with elders to ensure that their knowledge concerning traditional beliefs and customs are not lost to time. The data is recorded, compiled, and regularly published.
Every year field research is conducted in one of the 16 states of Palau. Among other things, we work in concert with Bureau archaeoligists to help interpret and locate archaeological remains. Our findings are published by the Oral History/Ethnography Section in annually issued reports.
Another annual publication series is done in cooperation with the Palau society of historians. The content of these booklets concerns the customs and tradtions that form the basis of today's culture in Palau. Each year a new topic is selected for in-depth research and discussion. |
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