Myanmar, a country in the region of South East Asia, has for several centuries, been in existence as an independent sovereign nation with a culture of her own.

At present, the Government is trying to maintain it traditions, customs and culture  in cooperation with all Myanmar citizens. Today, every Myanmar citizen is dedicated  to the duty of safeguarding not only national independence but also its invaluable culture.

Convincing that without national identity a country and its people are non existent.. The cultural policy of Myanmar has the following aims and objectives:-
         (1)  Uplift of the morale and morality of the entire nation.
         (2)  Uplift of national prestige and integrity and preservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage and
                national character.
         (3)  Uplift of dynamism of patriotic spirit and
         (4)  Uplift of health, fitness and educational standards of the entire nation

To implement these objectives the Ministry of Culture was formed with three directorates and one university. They are--
        (1)  The Department of Fine and Performing Arts.
        (2)  The Department of Culture institute.
        (3)  The Department of Archaeology and
        (4)  The University of Culture.

The Department of Fine and Performing Arts has Dance and Drama Division which produces entertainment programmes to be performed on State occasions and at the National Theatre, and a Training and Research Division which runs a school of  Fine and Performing Arts at basic level in Yangon and another one in Mandalay.

At Bagan, there is a Lacqueware Making Training School and later it was upgraded to the Myanmar lacquerware institute. Students of these Schools and Institutes receive stipends from the Government.

The National Museum and National Library in Yangon and other museums in libraries in the other states and Divisions of the country are under this Department. There is also a Research Division which carries out field study on the cultures of Myanmar nationalities and produces.

The Department  of Archaeology looks after the restoration and preservation of ancient monuments and edifices in various archaeological sites through out the country, especially in Bagan, the rest are for instance  Shwebo, Bago, Thayey Khitaya (Srikshetra), Hanlin, Pinya and Innwa.

Archaeological Department is doing research works and field-studies to track down ancient culture of Myanmar.

Excavation and field-studies of ancient capitals, studies of inscriptions on stones, manuscripts, on bells, are done systematically.

Moreover, maintenance and renovation of ancient edifices (monuments) and palaces were also implemented.

Excavations pertaining to the Stone Age are in progress at Shwezaryan, Taungthaman Inn, Let Wei Chay Pawywa. to study about Pyu culture Beikthano Myohaung (AD1 to 4 AD), Hanlinn Myohaung (AD 5 to 9AD ),Srikshetra Myohaung (AD 5 to10 AD), Maingmaw Myohaung (AD 5 to 9 AD )  are excavated. Similarly, Kyaikkatha Myohaung (circa 5 AD) is being excavated to study about Mon culture and to know more about Rakhine culture Vesali Myohaung (AD 5 to 9 AD) are excavated respectively.

Ancient pagodas and city at ThaYayKhitayar (Srikshetra), 2230 city , caves, stupas, monasteries and ordination halls and mural paintings from Bagan wooden monasteries from Mandalay, Sale, Pakhangyi, Sagaing and Innwa regions are preserved. 

It was founded in 1993,teaches and trains students in Myanmar traditional, fine and performing arts confers degrees after the completion of four year courses.

With the aim of preserving the traditional culture and foster patriotisms in the country, especially for the young generation.

Authorities have been holding annually Myanmar Traditional Performing Arts Competitions since 1993.

In order to promote friendship with other foreign countries and to publicize the Myanmar cultural and fine arts some bilateral cultural exchange programmes were implemented. Therefore, Myanmar cultural troupe visited  China, Japan, Thailand ,Malaysia, India, Russia, France, Bangladesh and Laos and entertained the citizens of these countries. Similarly, a lot of musical troupes, dancing troupes, and acrobatics troupes from China, Japan, Russia, India, France, Laos and Indonesia came to Myanmar and entertained the Myanmar audience.