# Title 54 — State Government

## Chapter 54-54 — Council on the Arts

### § 54-54-01. Legislative purpose and policy.

It is the finding of the legislative assembly that many of our citizens lack the opportunity to
view, enjoy, or participate in living theatrical performances, musical concerts, operas, dance and
ballet recitals, art exhibits, examples of fine architecture, and the performing and fine arts
generally. It is further found that, with increasing leisure time, the practice and enjoyment of the
arts are of increasing importance and that the general welfare of the people of the state will be
promoted by giving further recognition to the arts as a vital aspect of our culture and heritage
and as a valued means of expanding the scope of our educational programs.
It is declared to be the policy of the state to join with private patrons and with institutions
and professional organizations concerned with the arts to ensure that the role of the arts in the
life of our communities will continue to grow and will play an evermore significant part in the
welfare and educational experience of our citizens.
### § 54-54-02. Council - Members - Appointment.

The North Dakota council on the arts consists of nine members, broadly representative of
all fields of the performing and fine arts, who are to be appointed by the governor as provided in
this chapter, from among the citizens of the state who are widely known for their competence
and experience in connection with the performing and fine arts. In making these appointments,
due consideration must be given to the recommendations made by representative civic,
educational, and professional associations and groups, concerned with or engaged in the
production or presentation of the performing and fine arts generally.
### § 54-54-03. Term of office - Filling vacancies - Chairman - Vice chairman - Expenses.

The term of office of each member is five years; provided, however, that of the members
first appointed after August 1, 1995, three must be appointed for terms of two years, three for
terms of three years, and three for terms of five years. If a vacancy to be filled occurs otherwise
than by the expiration of the term of office of a member of the council, the appointment must be
made for the balance of the term only. Other than the chairman, no member of the council who
serves a full five-year term is eligible for reappointment during a one-year period following the
expiration of the term. The governor shall designate a chairman and a vice chairman from the
members of the council who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The chairman is the
chief executive officer of the council. The members of the council may not receive any
compensation for their services, but must be reimbursed for their travel expenses in the same
manner and at the same rates as provided by law for other state officials for necessary travel in
the performance of their duties as members of the council.
### § 54-54-04. Other employees - Appointment - Compensation.

The chairman with the approval of the council may employ such officers, experts, and other
employees as may be needed to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The executive director
shall serve at the pleasure of the chairman and the chairman shall fix the compensation of the
executive director.
### § 54-54-05. Duties of council.

The duties of the council are:
1. To stimulate and encourage throughout the state the study and presentation of the
performing and fine arts and public interest and participation therein.
2. To make such surveys as may be deemed advisable of public and private institutions
engaged within the state in artistic and cultural activities, including but not limited to,
music, theater, dance, painting, sculpture, architecture, and allied arts and crafts, and
to make recommendations concerning appropriate methods to encourage participation
in and appreciation of the arts to meet the legitimate needs and aspirations of persons
in all parts of the state.

3. To take such steps as may be necessary and appropriate to encourage public interest
in the cultural heritage of our state and to expand the state's cultural resources.
4. To encourage and assist freedom of artistic expression essential for the well-being of
the arts.
5. To determine the artistic value of property as provided by section 1-08-04.1.
6. To administer a poet laureate program that selects the poet laureate and requires the
poet laureate to participate in at least four public events around the state each year.
### § 54-54-06. Hearings - Contracts - Gifts.

The council is hereby authorized and empowered to hold public hearings, to enter into
contracts, within the limit of funds available therefor, with individuals, organizations, and
institutions for services furthering the educational objectives of the council's programs; to enter
into contracts, within the limit of funds available therefor, with local and regional associations for
joint endeavors furthering the educational objectives of the council's programs; to accept gifts,
contributions, and bequests of unrestricted funds from individuals, foundations, corporations,
limited liability companies, and other organizations or institutions for the purpose of furthering
the educational objectives of the council's programs; to make and sign any agreements; and to
do and perform any acts that may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The
council may request and may receive from any department, division, board, bureau,
commission, or agency of the state such information and data as will enable it to properly carry
out its powers and duties.
### § 54-54-07. Funds from national foundation on the arts.

The council is the official agency of this state to receive and disburse any funds made
available by the national foundation on the arts.
### § 54-54-08. Legislative intent relating to state funds.

Repealed by S.L. 1971, ch. 520, § 1.
### § 54-54-08.1. Cultural endowment fund - Purposes.

The North Dakota cultural endowment fund is hereby established to improve the intrinsic
quality of the lives of the state's citizens now and in the future through programs approved by
the council on the arts. Such programs must:
1. Increase cultural awareness by the state's citizens through programs in arts, crafts,
theater, ethnic and folk arts, literature, journalism, public media, historic preservation
and interpretation, visual arts, and architecture.
2. Make the items named in subsection 1 more available to the state's citizens.
3. Encourage the development of talent in the areas named in subsection 1 within the
state.
4. Preserve and increase understanding of North Dakota's heritage and future.
### § 54-54-08.2. Cultural endowments - Limitations.

Investment of the cultural endowment fund must be under the supervision of the state
investment board in accordance with chapter 21-10. Funds will be expended from the cultural
endowment fund only to the limits of accrued interest on state general fund appropriations and
other public and private funds received. The expenditure of endowment funds must occur at the
direction of the North Dakota council on the arts. The council may seek the counsel and
assistance of a group or groups of private citizens of the council's choosing to aid it in arriving at
expenditure decisions when private funds are involved. Section 54-54-06 applies to private
donations to the cultural endowment fund; provided, that gifts, donations, and bequests can be
dedicated as principal of the fund in perpetuity or for a term of years, in which case only the
income earned as a result of investment of those funds can be expended pursuant to section

### § 54-54-09. Report.

The council shall submit a biennial report as provided in subsection 1 of section 54-06-04.
The report is also subject to the requirements of subsections 2, 4, and 5 of section 54-06-04.
### § 54-54-10. Poet laureate - Nominating board - Appointment - Term.

Repealed by S.L. 2025, ch. 479, § 39.
### § 54-54-11. State troubadour.

The chairman of the North Dakota council on the arts shall designate an individual to serve
as the official state troubadour or trobairitz for a term of five years. The chairman may fill any
vacancy by appointment for the unexpired portion of the term vacated.
