In this Statute, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned thereto, unless the context requires otherwise:

• Commission: Visual Arts Commission. Statute: Statute of the Commission.

• Ministry: Ministry of Culture.

• Minister: Minister of Culture.

• Board: Board of Directors of the Commission.

• CEO: Chief Executive Officer of the Commission.

• Visual Arts Sector: The sector concerned with activities relating to visual arts, including their creation, preparation, production, development, and dissemination. This includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, calligraphy, and the like.

The Commission shall have a public legal personality with financial and administrative independence within the limits of this Statute, and shall report to the Minister.

The Commission shall be headquartered in the city of Riyadh and may, as needed, establish branches and offices within the Kingdom or abroad.

The Commission shall have a board of directors chaired by the Minister and comprising the following members:

• a) The Vice Minister, member and vice chairman.

• b) Members, not less than five and not more than nine, with relevant expertise and qualifications, appointed pursuant to an order from the Prime Minister based on the Minister’s nomination, for a term of three years, renewable once.

The Board shall oversee the Commission’s activities and the management of its affairs, and shall take the decisions necessary to achieve its objectives within the limits of this Statute. The Board shall, in particular, undertake the following:

• 1. Propose strategies and policies for the visual arts sector, in accordance with the National Strategy for Culture and other strategies pertaining to culture, to be submitted to the Ministry for approval.

• 2. Approve plans, initiatives, and programs for the implementation of the adopted strategies and policies for the visual arts sector, and monitor their implementation upon approval.

• 3. Propose laws and regulations relevant to the Commission’s activities, as well as amendments to existing ones, in preparation for submission to the Ministry for completion of statutory procedures.

• 4. Approve the Commission’s organizational structure and organizational guide.

• 5. Approve the establishment of Commission branches and offices.

• 6. Approve the policies, procedures, and internal and technical regulations necessary for the management of the Commission's affairs.

• 7. Determine the fees for works and services provided by the Commission.

• 8. Propose regulations governing the activities of the visual arts sector and matters related thereto, including procedures for the issuance and development of licenses and fees thereof, in addition to clearances, approvals, and permissions, in preparation for submission to the Ministry for approval.

• 9. Approve repayable and non-repayable grants and incentives.

• 10. Approve the Commission’s draft annual budget, final accounts, and annual report, in preparation for submission to the Ministry.

• 11. Appoint an internal auditor for the Commission.

• 12. Review periodic reports on the Commission’s work progress and take necessary decisions thereon.

• 13. Approve the conclusion of agreements, protocols, and contracts, in accordance with the mechanisms and procedures adopted by the Ministry and the applicable statutory procedures.

• 14. Approve joining, cooperating with, and participating in regional and international unions, organizations, agencies, and similar bodies relevant to the Commission’s objectives, in accordance with applicable statutory procedures.

• 15. Accept gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and endowments, in accordance with the governing provisions.

• The Board may, in exercising its powers, form standing or ad hoc committees from among its members or others and assign tasks thereto as it deems fit. The formation decision of each committee shall name its chairman and members and shall determine its powers. Such committees may seek the assistance of non-members to perform the tasks assigned thereto.

• The Board may delegate some of its powers to its chairman, any of its members, or Commission employees.

1. Board meetings shall be held at the Commission’s headquarters and may, when necessary, be held elsewhere. They may also be held remotely, and deliberations and decisions, whether passed during meetings or by circulation, may be recorded and documented using electronic means.

2. The Board shall convene periodically at least four times a year and when the need arises at the chairman’s discretion, or if requested by at least one-third of its members.

3. A written invitation along with the agenda shall be sent by the chairman at least seven days prior to the meeting date.

4. Board meetings shall be deemed valid if attended by at least the majority of members, including the chairman or his deputy, and Board decisions shall be passed by majority vote of attending members; in case of a tie, the chairman of the meeting shall have the casting vote.

5. Board deliberations and decisions shall be recorded in minutes signed by the chairman of the meeting and attending members.

6. Board decisions may be passed by circulation provided that such decisions are unanimous and are presented at the subsequent Board meeting in order to be recorded in the minutes.

7. A Board member may not abstain from voting nor vote by proxy, and any member who objects to a decision shall enter his reasoned objection in the minutes or the draft decision.

8. A member may not disclose any of the Commission's confidential information to which he becomes privy.

9. The Board may, at its discretion, invite any person to attend its meetings in a non-voting capacity to provide expertise or clarifications.

The Commission shall have a CEO, whose appointment and dismissal as well as his remuneration and other financial benefits shall be determined pursuant to a Board decision. The CEO shall be in charge of the management of the Commission's affairs, in accordance with this Statute and Board decisions, and shall assume the following powers:

• 1. Supervise the preparation of strategies for the visual arts sector, in accordance with the National Strategy for Culture and other strategies pertaining to culture, as well as the policies, plans, initiatives, and programs necessary therefor, and submit the same to the Board.

• 2. Supervise the Commission’s work progress.

• 3. Propose the Commission’s organizational structure and organizational guide, and submit the same to the Board.

• 4. Propose the policies, procedures, and internal and technical regulations necessary for the management of the Commission's affairs, in preparation for submission to the Board.

• 5. Supervise the preparation of the Commission’s draft annual budget, final accounts, and annual report, and submit the same to the Board.

• 6. Disburse from the Commission’s budget and complete all financial procedures in accordance with the governing provisions and the powers delegated thereto by the Board.

• 7. Monitor the implementation of Board decisions.

• 8. Submit proposals to the Board on matters falling within the Commission’s jurisdiction.

• 9. Supervise the preparation of reports on the execution of Commission plans and programs, and submit such reports to the Board.

• 10. Sign agreements, protocols, and contracts according to his powers or upon the Board's approval.

• 11. Represent the Commission before judicial bodies, government agencies, and other entities within the Kingdom and abroad; he may delegate such function to others.

• 12. Contract with experts and advisors, subject to the Commission's objectives and in accordance with applicable regulations.

• 13. Appoint Commission employees in accordance with relevant regulations, and supervise such employees.

• 14. Issue the decisions necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Statute and its regulations, in accordance with the powers vested therein.

• 15. Any other power vested therein by the Board. The CEO may delegate some of his powers to any of the Commission’s employees

1. The Commission’s financial resources shall consist of the following:

• a) Allocations within the Ministry's budget.

• b) Fees for licenses and for works and services provided thereby.

• c) Gifts, donations, grants, and bequests accepted by the Board as well as proceeds of endowments.

• d) Returns on investment of the Commission’s available financial resources.

• e) Any other resources approved by the Board and not inconsistent with applicable laws and instructions.

2. All Commission revenues shall be deposited in the Ministry of Finance’s current account with the Saudi Central Bank.

3. The Commission shall have an account with the Saudi Central Bank, and it may open other accounts with any bank licensed to operate in the Kingdom. Disbursement from such accounts shall be in accordance with the Commission's approved budget.