The California Arts Commission was created in 1963 (Stats. 1963, sh. 1742) "to join with private patrons and with institutions and professional organizations concerned with the arts, to encourage and assist the freedom of artistic expression of the arts." The Commission was dissolved in 1975 and the California Arts Council was established the following year. The California Arts Commission Records (1963-1965) consist of ten series documenting the administrative history of the Commission as well as its activities, programs, and exhibits.

The California Arts Commission was created (Stats. 1963, ch. 1742) to join with private patrons and with institutions and professional organizations concerned with the arts, and to encourage and assist the freedom of artistic expression of the arts. The original Commission was not empowered to administer funds or to promote cultural and artistic programs until 1973 (ch. 1143). The revised responsibilities of the Commission provided for funding, including the acceptance of federal and private funds, for promotion, support and development of needed arts programs. The Commission, in order to amplify the state's existing cultural resources - thus making many art institutions and organizations serve the audience in community-wide programs - promoted and sponsored cultural state-wide touring exhibitions such as Horizon, Music for Youth, and Perception, an exhibition for the sighted and blind. The Commission was dissolved in 1975 and the California Arts Council was established the following year

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While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.