The Ethnic Folk Art Development Center under the Ministry of Cul- ture, the predecessor of which is the National Art Science Planning and Directing Group Office established in 1984, aims at planning and managing national art research projects, including the compia- tion and publication of Chinese Folk and Ethnic Culture and Arts Collection. In 1998, the Ministry of Culture decided to establish the Ethnic Folk Art Development Center (hereafter referred to as the Center), a public scientific research institution whose purpose is to carry forward the essence of Chinese cultural traditions, salvage eth- nic folk literature and art heritage, and explore fascinating ethnic folk literature and art resources. The overall responsibility covers the col- lection, collation, conservation and development of Chinese ethnic folk literature and art, as well as research and exchanges in this area.
文化部民族民间文艺发展中心的前生是成立于1984年的全国 艺术科学规划领导小组办公室，其主要只能是负责全国艺术 科学研究项目的规划管理(包括中国民族民间文艺集成志书 编篡出版的具体管理工作)。为弘扬中华民族的优秀文化传 统，抢救民族民间文艺遗产，发掘民族民间优秀文艺资源， 文化部决定于1998年成立文化部民族民间文艺发展中心，为 部属科研事业单位。中心的任务是全面承担中国民族民间文 艺的搜集、整理、保护、研究、开发和交流工作。