URUMQI - The government of west China's Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region will earmark 100 million yuan ($15.7 million) to subsidize local art and culture groups and encourage more non-profit performances, local officials said Monday.

Wang Fuqiang, deputy director of Xinjiang's Department of Finance, said the money will be provided to help art groups cover salaries, costume fees, rent and maintenance charges for their equipment over the next five years.

Art and culture groups at the prefecture and county levels will receive subsidies ranging from 200,000 to 250,000 yuan per year according to their size, said Abliz Abdurehim, director of Xinjiang's Department of Culture.

In 2011, all art and culture groups will receive fixed subsidies. But starting in 2012, they will be required to stage a minimum number of public performances to receive the subsidies, according to Abliz Abdurehim.

Several art and culture groups, especially those at the grassroots level, have been experiencing difficulties due to a lack of funding.