The earlier governmental agencies or authorities concerning the arts were advisory boards or councils;[1] it was not until 1986 that the department for the Arts was created.[2][3][4]
The Department of the Arts was to co-ordinate and review the major cultural institutions, incorporating the Censorship Office and absorbing the activities of the Western Australian Arts Council. The department was given the responsibility of ensuring artistic and financial evaluation and accountability from receipts of arts grants.[5]
It was followed by the Ministry for Culture and the Arts, which existed between 1997 and 2001.[6][7]
Former Minister for Arts, The Hon. Peter Foss QC MLC, initiated the State Living Treasures Awards in 1998 to honour artists whose lifetime work had enhanced the artistic and cultural life of Western Australia.
The awards were also presented in 2004 by The Hon. Sheila McHale MLA, former Minister for Culture and the Arts.
In 2015 they were awarded by The Hon. John Day MLA, former Minister for Culture and the Arts at a ceremony at the Art Gallery of Western Australia in October 2015.[8]
^Western Australia. Ministry for Culture and the Arts (1998), Strategic directions, 1998-2001, The Ministry, retrieved 16 April 2012
^Western Australia. Ministry for Culture and the Arts (1997), Annual report, The Ministry, ISSN1441-161X - Established on 20 May 1997, the Ministry for Culture & the Arts, comprises six agencies which were formerly part of the Arts Portfolio, namely: ArtsWA, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Library and Information Service of Western Australia, the Western Australian Museum, the Perth Theatre Trust and ScreenWest.
^"Living Treasures". Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Government of Western Australia. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2022.