The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs has primary responsibility for development of the state's interest in the areas of the arts, history, and other cultural matters.
The department is responsible for:
- Developing a comprehensive, coordinated, and efficient policy to preserve, research, interpret, and promote to the public an awareness and understanding of local, state, and regional history.
- Stimulating and encouraging throughout the state the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and public interest and participation in them.
- Implementing tourism-related art and history projects as directed by the general assembly.
- Designing a comprehensive, statewide, long-range plan (Imagine Iowa 2010) with the assistance of the Iowa Arts Council to develop the arts in Iowa. The department is designated as the state agency for carrying out the plan.
- Encouraging the use of volunteers throughout its divisions, especially for purposes of restoring books and manuscripts.
