N.Y. Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 3.05: General powers and duties of council

§ 3.05. General powers and duties of council. The council shall have

the following powers and duties:

1. To stimulate and encourage throughout the state the study and

presentation of the performing and fine arts and public interest and

participation therein;

2. To make such surveys as may be deemed advisable of public and

private institutions engaged within the state in artistic and cultural

activities, including but not limited to, music, theatre, dance,

painting, sculpture, architecture, and allied arts and crafts, and to

make recommendations concerning appropriate methods to encourage

participation in and appreciation of the arts to meet the legitimate

needs and aspirations of persons in all parts of the state;

3. To take such steps as may be necessary and appropriate to encourage

public interest in the cultural heritage of our state and to expand the

state's cultural resources;

4. To hold public or private hearings;

5. To enter into contracts, within the amount available by

appropriation therefor, with individuals, organizations and institutions

for services furthering the educational objectives of the council's

programs;

6. To enter into contracts, within the amount available by

appropriation therefor, with local and regional associations for

cooperative endeavors furthering the educational objectives of the

council's programs;

7. To accept gifts, contributions and bequests of unrestricted funds

from individuals, foundations, corporations and other organizations or

institutions for the purpose of furthering the educational objectives of

the council's programs;

8. To make and sign any agreements and to do and to perform any acts

that may be necessary, desirable or proper to carry out the purposes of

this chapter;

9. To promote tourism by supporting arts and cultural projects which

would stimulate tourism and improve the state's attractions for

tourists.

10. To administer the New York state musical instrument revolving fund

in accordance with the provisions of section ninety-seven-v of the state

finance law.

11. To promote regions of cultural significance by providing cultural

institutions within such regions grants, technical assistance, or other

assistance authorized by this section as the council deems appropriate,

including, but not limited to:

(a) East Harlem, also known as "El Barrio", this region shall be

bounded by East 96th Street on the South, 5th Avenue on the West, East

125th Street on the North and the East River on the East; and

(b) the Harlem Renaissance Cultural District, this region shall be

bounded by 110th Street on the South, the Hudson River on the West,

155th Street on the North and the 5th Avenue on the East.

The council may designate additional regions of cultural significance

at its discretion but such regions shall be compact, contiguous, and

have an identifiable cultural heritage which unites the region.