The following are the projects which took place in fiscal year 1955 and those planned for fiscal year 1956:

It is not possible to provide detailed information regarding the proposed content of the program for fiscal year 1957. Much depends on the availability of the various top-flight artists and cultural groups which cannot be known now. However, projects will be planned which will involve leading representatives of American cultural achievement similar to those included in past years' programs. The OCB Committee has agreed that efforts should be made to send 1 major orchestra to each of the 4 geographic areas of the world each year. Plans are also being formulated to increase the number of suitable dramatic presentations to be included in the program.

Through experience it has been found that the cultural presentations program must have a long lead time. Sometimes it is necessary for the OCB Committee to approve a project a full year before the project is implemented in order to commit prominent artists and also to allow sufficient time for negotiating bookings with foreign impresarios.

This request is based on the more than ample evidence that the projects undertaken thus far have generated unprecedented interest abroad in the appearances of American performing artists and athletes. It has also stimulated artists in this country to plan overseas tours. A continuation of this activity will enable us to take advantage of this mounting interest and to build on the experience we have gained. If we do not move ahead to satisfy the very real interest in our 78089-36- -29

cultural achievements which these first projects have developed, we may very easily create a vacuum which our opponents will be all too ready to filll. A general listing of the 38 major projects for fiscal year 1957 follows:

Administration of the cultural activities program is mainly in 2 parts, (1) a staff of 6 positions in the International Exchange Service (IES) and (2) contractual arrangements through grants-in-aid for the planning, developing, and administering cultural presentations abroad and the disbursement of program funds for such presentations.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE-FAIR PROGRAM

Allocations to Department of Commerce and Department of Labor

Allocations to Department of Commerce and Department of Labor—Continued

1 Fairs occurring early in fiscal year 1957 are financed in part with funds available from the 1956 appropriation. The table below shows amounts budgeted from 1956 and 1957 appropriations and the total budgeted cost of each fair.

Allocation to Department of Commerce Summary of estimated requirements, fiscal year 1957 and first 4 months, fiscal year 1958