303.3A Arts and cultural conferences and caucuses.

1. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

a. “Arts” means music, dance, theater, opera and music theater, visual arts, literature, design arts, media arts, and folk and traditional arts.

b. “Culture” or “cultural” means programs and activities which explore past and present human experience.

c. “Department” means the department of cultural affairs.

d. “Enhancement” means programs that allow arts and cultural organizations to improve or enhance the quality of programs currently offered, and increase and support professional and student artists and arts educators.

e. “Outreach” means programs that increase rural access to cultural resources, social awareness, cultural diversity, and which serve special populations.

2. The department shall administer regional conferences and a statewide caucus on arts and cultural enhancement. The purpose of the conferences and caucus is to encourage the development of the arts and culture in the state by identifying opportunities for programs involving education, outreach, and enhancement; by reviewing possible changes in enhancement program policies, programs, and funding; and by making recommendations to the department regarding funding allocations and priorities for arts and cultural enhancement.

3. Every four years beginning in June 2001, the department shall convene a statewide caucus on arts and cultural enhancement.

a. Prior to the statewide caucus, the department shall make arrangements to hold a conference in each of several regions of the state as determined by the Iowa arts council. The department shall promote attendance of interested persons at each conference. A designee of the department shall serve as temporary chairperson until persons attending the conference elect a chairperson. The department shall provide persons attending the conference with current information regarding cultural programs and expenditures. Persons attending the conference shall identify opportunities for programs in the areas of education, outreach, and enhancement, and make recommendations in the form of a resolution. The persons attending the conference shall elect six persons from among the attendees to serve as regional, voting delegates to the statewide caucus. The conference attendees shall elect a chairperson from among the six representatives. Other interested persons are encouraged to attend the statewide caucus as nonvoting attendees.

b. The department shall charge a reasonable fee for attendance at the statewide caucus on arts and cultural enhancement.

c. A designee of the department shall call the statewide caucus to order and serve as temporary chairperson until persons attending the caucus elect a chairperson. Persons attending the caucus shall discuss the recommendations of the regional conferences and decide upon recommendations to be made to the department and the general assembly. Elected chairpersons of the regional conferences shall meet with representatives of the department and present the recommendations of the caucus.

98 Acts, ch 1215, §54