Council on Culture and Arts Board

The Council was created, per Florida Statutes, with the purpose of:

• Stimulating greater awareness and appreciation of the importance of the arts.
• Encouraging and facilitating greater and more efficient use of governmental and private resources for the development and support of the arts.
• Encouraging and facilitating opportunities for citizens to participate in artistic activities.
• Promoting the development of resident artists, art institutions, community organizations sponsoring art activities and audiences.
• Surveying and assessing the needs of the arts, artists, art institutions, community organizations sponsoring arts activities, and citizens relating to the arts.
• Supporting and facilitating the preservation and growth of the state's artistic resources.
• Contracting for artistic services, performances and exhibits.
• Developing a center or complex of physical facilities for the use of the arts.
• Providing financial and technical assistance to artists, arts institutions and audiences.
• and otherwise serving the citizens in the realm of the arts.

Section 265.32, Florida Statutes 
County Establishing Resolution No. 85-46
City/County Interlocal Agreement Oct 18, 1985 
Cultural Resources Commission changed its name to Council on Culture & Arts in 2006

Decision Making Committee

Per Statutes,  the Council consists of 15 members who must be qualified electors residing in the County. Per COCA bylaws, the 15 members shall include 2 practicing artists, 2 members of the heritage community, and at least 1 member each from the volunteer, business/economic development, tourism, finance or marketing.

The 8 members selected by the BOCC will include one member from each of the following categories:

• Business / Economic Development
• Historic Preservation / Ethnic Heritage
• Practicing Artist
• Marketing 
• Tourism Industry
• Community Volunteerism
• Member At-Large (2)

The 7 members recommended by the Mayor of the City of Tallahassee include one member from each of the following categories:

• Business / Economic Development
• Historic Preservation / Ethnic Heritage
• Practicing Artist
• Finance
• Member At-Large (3)

To apply for Mayor recommended seats, please apply online at:   http://www.talgov.com/transparency/boards.aspx

In filling any vacancy which occurs, the Board of County Commissioners shall select the replacement council member from a list of three candidates submitted by the remaining members of the Council.

Per Florida Statutes, each council member will be charged with the responsibility of serving the best interests of the arts in the county and no council member shall view his or her role as that of representing any particular geographic area of the county, interest group, arts institution, community organization, or audience. No individual committed to, or owing allegiance to, any particular arts faction shall be eligible to serve on the council.

Per section 265.32, Florida Statutes, the council shall hold at least one public hearing annually, pursuant to public notice specifying the date and place of hearing and the subjects to be considered, for the purpose of making the council's work known and investigating and assessing the needs and development of the arts in the county.

15 total members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners per Section 265.32 (2)(b.), Florida Statutes. 

• 8 - Citizens appointed by the Board of County Commissioners
• 7 - Citizens recommended by the Mayor of the City of Tallahassee, and appointed by the BOCC

Plus 2 Voting Ex-officio members:

• 1 - County Commissioner
• 1 - City Commissioner

Additional 5 nonvoting ex officio members serve as liaisons, per COCA bylaws, appointed by:

• President of FSU designee
• President of FAMU designee
• President of TCC designee
• Superintendent of Leon County Schools designee
• Tourist Development Council designee

4-Year(s) Expiring September 30
Maximum Number of Terms: 2
No council member who serves two full terms shall be reappointed to the council during the 2-year period following expiration of his or her term. (per section 265.32 (3.)(d), Florida Statutes)
Vacancies are filled for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Generally meets every other month at 4:00 p.m.
Per section 265.32, Florida Statutes, the council shall meet at least quarterly pursuant to notice.