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.
2005
Inaugural year of Poetry Out Loud, the national poetry recitation contest for high school students.
2008
Dale Harwood and Horace Axtell receive National Heritage Fellowships.
2011
The Idaho Change Leader Institute is established to train Idaho’s local arts leaders in organizational and community planning.
2015
NEA Chair Jane Chu visits the Twin Falls Center for the Arts and other southwest Idaho locations.
2019
NEA Chair Mary Ann Carter visits Idaho. l-r: Mark Hofflund, Steve Allred, Kay Hardy, Mary Ann Carter, Mike Simpson, Michael Faison
2020
The Commission moves to an office building on Emerald and Mark Stall Place.
2021
The Fellowship in Folk and Traditional Arts is established, conferring the same recognition previously reserved for contemporary practices.