It operates throughout the national territory and is the agency responsible for developing public policies to foster the visual arts, music, dance, theater, and circus.

[2][3] To this end, Funarte grants scholarships and awards, maintains programs for the circulation of artists and cultural goods, promotes workshops, publishes books, recovers and creates collections, provides technical consulting, and supports cultural events in all Brazilian states as well as abroad.

[2][3] In addition, it maintains cultural spaces in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Distrito Federal, and makes part of its collection available for free on the Internet.

It was created in 1975, still during the military dictatorship, by Minister Ney Braga[4][5] to promote, stimulate, and develop cultural activities throughout Brazil.

[6] Under the cartoonist's command, Funarte also acted as a syndicate (an agency for the distribution of newspaper strips and pastimes).