Ordem do Mérito Cultural

Order of Cultural Merit
Ordem do Mérito Cultural
Awarded by the Ministry of Culture
TypeNational order
EligibilityBrazilian and foreign personalities
Awarded forpeople, artistic groups, initiatives or institutions in the form of recognition of their contributions to Brazilian Culture
Statuscurrently awarded
GradesGrand Cross (Grã-cruz)
Commander (Comendador)
Knight (Cavaleiro)


The Ordem do Mérito Cultural is an honor bestowed by the Ministry of Culture to personalities, bodies both public and private, national and foreign, as a recognition of their contributions to Brazilian culture.

The award was established by Law No. 8313, 1991 and regulated in 1995 by the Federal Government through Decree 1,711. The OMC is celebrated annually on November 5, in celebration of the National Culture Day.

The Ordem do Mérito Cultural recipients are selected by a Council composed of the Minister of State for Culture, who presides as Chancellor, and the Ministers of State for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation and Foreign Affairs, and on a Technical Commission, nominated by the Minister of State for Culture.