The administration of the cultural affairs of Lithuania is on two levels; central (the Ministry of Culture) and local (the districts and municipalities). The main task of the Ministry is to ensure the historical continuation of Lithuanian culture and to create conditions for its development and expression.

The Ministry is responsible for formulating and implementing state cultural policy in the spheres of libraries, museums, ethnic culture, theatre, music, art, cinema, literature and publishing, cultural centres, and copyrights and related rights.

The Ministry maintains national and some regional institutions: the National Philharmonic Society, Lithuanian Folk Cultural Centre, the National M.Mazvydas Library, 12 state theatres and three national museums. A Training Centre for Cultural Workers has been established for improving the professional skills of cultural workers.

There are several consultative institutions: the Board of Culture and Art, the College of Culture Self-Government and expert commissions in each section of the Ministry.

Some independent institutions are administered by the Ministry, including: the Committee of National Awards for Culture and Art and the National UNESCO Commission. The Monument Protection Department is responsible for cultural heritage.

The Ministry also co-ordinates international cultural projects and presentation of Lithuanian culture abroad.

The Ministry gives suggestions for intergovernmental agreements on cultural collaboration, initiates and signs interdepartmental agreements and protocols. The priorities of international co-operation - Baltic states, Nordic countries, countries - members of EU. During the last years very intensive collaborations goes on with Scandinavian countries. The Ministry of Culture takes part in the project "Ars Baltica" co-ordinates by the ministries of the Baltic Sea states, in the EC program "Baroque Route" (with other European states). Very important place is given in the sphere of international collaboration on cultural heritage protection and artistic exchange.

Since the elections at the end of 1996 the Minister of Culture has been the writer Saulius Saltenis.