COUNCIL ON THE ARTS
[Authorized: NDCC Section 54-54-02]
The North Dakota Council on Arts and Humanities was established in 1967 (S. L. 1967, Ch. 397). The original council consisted of fifteen members who were selected from civic, educational, and professional associations concerned with or engaged in the production or presentation of the performing and fine arts. Members were appointed by the Governor and were approved with the consent of the State Senate. Statewide Council members broadly represented all fields of the performing and fine arts and were widely known for their competence and experience in the arts. The Council was to encourage and stimulate public interest in the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts. It was to survey public and private groups engaged in artistic and cultural activities while working to expand cultural resources and to encourage and assert the freedoms of artistic expression. The Council was authorized to hold public hearings, enter into contracts, to accept gifts, contributions, and bequests of funds from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other organizations for the purpose of furthering educational objectives of Council programs. No member except the chairman could serve more than one term or be eligible for reappointments. Members served five year terms. Biennial reports were submitted to the Governor, Secretary of State, and Legislature.
In 1979 the Council was renamed the North Dakota Council on the Arts (S. L. 1979, Ch. 577). Also in 1979 (S. L. 1979, Ch. 578) the North Dakota Cultural Endowment Fund was established and operated under the jurisdiction of the Council. The purpose of the fund was to increase the cultural awareness of North Dakota citizens, to make fine arts more accessible, to encourage the development of talented citizens, and to preserve and increase understanding of North Dakota’s heritage and future. The Bank of North Dakota maintained the funding that came from state and federal appropriations and from public and private gifts and bequests. The bank was responsible for the investment of the principle money. Only the money from interest was dispersed.
After 1983 the Senate no longer needed to approve the gubernatorial appointments (S. L. 1983, Ch. 582). Changes to the Council membership included the selection of a chairman and vice chairman appointed by the Governor. The chairman served as the chief executive officer. In addition, the Council was involved in helping to determine the artistic value of potential exhibits for the Capitol Grounds Planning Commission [NDCC 48-10-01], and the council was represented on the Capitol Arts and Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (S. L. 1987, Ch. 76; S. L. 1995, Ch. 59). Also in 1987 members became eligible to serve a second term on the Council (S. L.1987, Ch. 661).
In 1995 the membership decreased from fifteen to nine (S.L. 1995, Ch. 535). In 2005 legislation (S. L. 2005, Ch. 38) provided for the employment of an executive director who was appointed by the Council chairman. Also in 2005 the State Investment Board was authorized to manage the endowment fund (S. L. 2005, Ch. 38).
CHRONOLOGY
1967 The North Dakota Council on Arts and Humanities was created and the fifteen member Council was composed of citizens from across the state who were known for their competence and expertise in the arts (S. L. 1967, Ch. 397).
1979 The name of the Council was changed to the North Dakota Council on the Arts (S. L. 1979, Ch. 577). The North Dakota Cultural Endowment Fund was formed and was under the jurisdiction of the Council. The fund was managed by the Bank of North Dakota (S. L. 1979, Ch. 578).
1983 Approval of Council members by the state senate was removed from legislation (S. L. 1983, Ch. 582).
1987 Added Council duties (S. L. 1987, Ch. 76) included determining the value of artistic exhibits for the Capitol Grounds Planning Commission, and serving on the Capitol Arts and Historic Preservation Advisory Committee [NDCC 48-11- 01]. Legislation allowed for Council members to be eligible for reappointment (S. L. 1987, Ch. 661).
1995 Council membership decreased from fifteen members to nine (S. L. 1995, Ch. 535).
2005 Legislation allowed the chairman to select a chief executive officer who employed other officers, experts, and employees as needed. Legislation (S. L. 2005, Ch. 38) moved maintenance of the endowment fund to the State Investment Board [NDCC 21-10].
RECORD SERIES
32097 Folklife Centennial Files.
SOURCES
North Dakota Century Code.
North Dakota Council on the Arts Website.
North Dakota Secretary of State Blue Book.
North Dakota State Legislature Session Laws.
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