In 1978…

In order to incorporate the arts program more directly into the structure of government, a later more recent executive order transferred the administrative responsibilities of the Arts Council (DSAC) to the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.The Council advises the Division on programs and concerns of the arts and approves or disapproves all grants of public or private funds received by the Division relating to the arts.

The Division’s responsibilities include providing technical and professional assistance to arts programs of individuals, organizations, and institutions of the state; and receiving gifts, contributions, and bequests from the private or public sectors and appropriations and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts or other government agencies for the purpose of promoting and encouraging the arts. In addition, the Division took over the administrative and budgetary responsibilities of the Council. The arts program and the staff of the Arts Council became known as the Office of the Arts of the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.

More About Our History

This post is part of the Division’s 30th Anniversary Timeline series.