The Arkansas Arts Council was established in 1966 to enable the state of Arkansas to receive funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. In 1971, Act 359 (A.C.A. § 13-8-101 et seq.) gave independent agency status to the Arts Council, with an executive director and a 17-member council appointed by the governor. In 1975, the Arts Council became an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.
Please feel free to contact a staff member of the Arkansas Arts Council, or click here for more information on members of the Arts Council by district.
The Arkansas Arts Council is an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and shares the goals of all seven Department of Arkansas Heritage agencies, that of preserving and enhancing the heritage of the state of Arkansas. The agencies are: Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Delta Cultural Center in Helena, Historic Arkansas Museum, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center and the Old State House Museum. Funding for the Arkansas Arts Council and its programs is provided by the State of Arkansas and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Mission Statement
The Arkansas Arts Council will advance and empower the arts for the benefit of all Arkansans.
Vision
Arkansas policy makers, stakeholders and the general public will fully recognize the educational, economic and cultural impact of the arts, creative people and creative enterprises.
Goals
- Encourage artistic excellence, diversity and innovation
- Promote equitable access to the arts for all Arkansans
- Develop arts in education for life-long learning
- Enhance community cultural and economic development
- Build and sustain the capacity of the Arkansas Arts Council to fulfill its mission
