SECTIONS 8750-8756 - California Statutes

GOVERNMENT CODE

SECTION 8750-8756

8750. The Legislature perceives that life in California is enriched
by art.
The source of art is in the natural flow of the human mind.
Realizing craft and beauty is demanding, however, the people of the
state desire to encourage and nourish these skills wherever they
occur, to the benefit of all.

8751. (a) There is in the state government an Arts Council which
shall be composed of 11 members. On or before January 10, 1979, the
Speaker of the Assembly and the Senate Rules Committee shall each
appoint one member to represent the general public. Prior to
appointing the remaining nine members, the Governor shall request and
consider recommendations from organizations representing the arts
community and when making his appointments shall give consideration
to the various arts disciplines and ethnic and geographic parts of
the state. All appointments made to the council by the Governor shall
be subject to confirmation by the Senate.
(b) Five of the eleven members shall hold office for four years,
four shall hold office for three years, and two shall hold office for
two years. Terms of office shall be determined by lot at the first
meeting of the council after January 1, 1979.
(c) Nothing in this section shall prevent the reappointment or
replacement of any individual presently serving on the existing Arts
Council unless such person has already served for more than four
consecutive years as a member of the California Arts Council or Arts
Commission.
(d) In January of each year, the members of the council shall
select a chairperson. Members of the council shall receive one
hundred dollars ($100) per meeting and shall be reimbursed for
necessary traveling and other expenses incurred in the performance of
official duties.

8751.5. If any member of the council is an employee, member,
director, or officer of any arts organization that has applied to the
council for a grant, such member shall not communicate with any
other member of the council or any member of an advisory panel
regarding such grant application and such member shall not be present
when such is considered by the council or panel.

8752. The council shall meet at the call of the chairperson no more
than eight times each calendar year. Unless there are extraordinary
circumstances, all meetings are to be preceded by at least eight days
public notice, and shall be held in various places throughout the
state so as to encourage broad and diverse attendance.

8753. The council shall:
(a) Encourage artistic awareness, participation and expression.
(b) Help independent local groups develop their own art programs.
(c) Promote the employment of artists and those skilled in crafts
in both the public and private sector.
(d) Provide for the exhibition of art works in public buildings
throughout California.
(e) Enlist the aid of all state agencies in the task of ensuring
the fullest expression of our artistic potential.
(f) Adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of the
Administrative Procedure Act necessary for proper execution of the
powers and duties granted to the council by this chapter.
(g) Employ such administrative, technical, and other personnel as
may be necessary.
(h) Fix the salaries of the personnel employed pursuant to this
chapter which salaries shall be fixed as nearly as possible to
conform to the salaries established by the State Personnel Board for
classes of positions in the state civil service involving comparable
duties and responsibilities.
(i) Appoint advisory committees whenever necessary. Members of an
advisory committee shall serve without compensation, but each may be
reimbursed for necessary traveling and other expenses incurred in the
performance of official duties.
(j) Request and obtain from any department, division, board,
bureau, commission, or other agency of the state such assistance and
data as will enable it properly to carry on its power and duties.
(k) Hold hearings, execute agreements, and perform any acts
necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(l) Accept federal grants, for any of the purposes of this
chapter.
(m) Accept only unrestricted gifts, donations, bequests, or grants
of funds from private sources and public agencies, for any of the
purposes of this chapter. However, the council shall give careful
consideration to any donor requests concerning specific dispositions.
(n) Establish grant application criteria and procedure.
(o) Award prizes or direct grants to individuals or organizations
in accordance with such regulations as the council may prescribe. In
awarding prizes or directing grants, the council shall notify the
offices of the legislators in whose district the recipient resides.

8753.5. The council shall not make any grants or fund any program
which has not been established pursuant to the powers granted by this
chapter.

8754. The council shall select a director for the Arts Council. The
council may delegate to the director the responsibilities for
carrying out council policy.
The director shall assist the council in the carrying out of its
work, be responsible for the hiring of council staff, including, but
not limited to, deputy directors, be responsible for the management
and administration of the council staff, and perform other duties as
directed by the council.

8755. Upon nomination by the council, the Governor may grant
special recognition to any citizen with exceptional talent who has
made a unique contribution to the cultural or artistic heritage of
the State of California.

8755.5. The executive or principal office of the Arts Council shall
be located in the County of Sacramento. The council may establish
one or more secondary offices in other locations within the state if
it determines that such office or offices are needed to properly
carry out the provisions of this chapter.

8756. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the
Dixon-Zenovich-Maddy California Arts Act of 1975.