About the Commission

Idaho Commission on the Arts

Lisa Flowers Ross, Collage, (detail), 2021

Idaho Commission on the Arts

Karl Henke, Bridge, 2016

Idaho Commission on the Arts

Saddle by Dale Harwood

Idaho Commission on the Arts

Danial Hidalgo creates a monotype print, 2016

Letter from the director

The Idaho Commission on the Arts, a state agency under the Office of the Governor, enables access to the arts, arts education, and Idahoans’ cultural and artistic heritage. At the ICA we provide administrative and management services for Idaho’s not-for-profit arts organizations, helping to stabilize their operations so that they can reliably deliver their public programs in the arts. We provide grants supporting access to the arts and arts education, leveraging significant community commitments in support of their programs. We provide elementary educators with new skills to model the creative process in their classrooms, to engage their students in active learning—learning by making and creating. We convene Idaho’s masters of traditional arts and occupational trades, enabling our cultural traditions to thrive. And the capstone of all this is the fact that artful and culturally-rich towns are good for business. They attract and keep the brilliant people and businesses that grow Idaho’s prosperity. For 50 years the Idaho Commission on the Arts has celebrated Idaho’s artistic and cultural heritage. We encourage all Idahoans, and those visiting, to experience the wealth of arts experiences our communities have to offer. Idaho is a state of the arts – welcome, and enjoy.

~ Michael

Michael Faison — Executive Director

Key Moments In Our History

September 1965

Lyndon Johnson signs legislation creating the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA issues grants to spark the creation of state arts agencies.

April 1966

Governor Robert E. Smylie creates an ad hoc commission by executive order. 20 Commissioners from throughout the state are appointed to explore the feasibility of creating a new state agency.

1967

Governor Don Samuelson signs legislation creating the Idaho Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

1969

Idaho receives its first NEA grant for programs: $26,400.
Commission is reduced from twenty to thirteen members.

October 1970

First Governor's Awards in the Arts are given during a statewide arts conference held at the Rodeway Inn, Boise.

1972

Second Governor’s Conference is held in Boise, featuring keynote speaker Vincent Price.

1976

Agency adds a Programs Director (primarily to run the Artists in Schools program) and a secretary, doubling the staff.

1976

The Commission moves from temporary quarters in the Old Assay Office on Main Street to the Alexander House on State St.

1978

Legislature drops “and Humanities” from the Commission’s name. Project grants for individual artists are established.

1981

The new Folk Arts program begins documenting and supporting the work of traditional artists.

1986

Legislature appropriates $15,000 for Arts in Rural Towns, the first general fund appropriation for a specific program.

1987

ICA sponsors the first Cowboy Poetry gathering in Salmon.

1987

Commission celebrates 20 years.

1989

Legislature appropriates $100,000 for the Cultural Facilities program, providing restoration and improvement funds for arts venues.

1990

NEA chair John Frohnmayer participates in the Governor's Awards in the Arts.

1996

NEA funding cut by 40%, resulting in 21% cut of the Commission’s partnership grant. Staff reduced from 13.5 to 11 full time employees.

1997

Agency launches its first web site.

2000

For the first time, Visual Arts Fellowship exhibitions are held in three Idaho sites.

2001

ICA presents Arts Matter!, a statewide conference in the arts.
Commission offices move to the Warden’s House, Old Penitentiary Historic District.

2003

Arts Powered Schools Summer Institute is established—a six-day professional development opportunity devoted to improving basic arts skills of teachers, administrators, and teaching artists.