Functional responsibility:
The Department of Culture and Multiculturalism was responsible for the creation, administration, and delivery of programs to promote the artistic and cultural development of Alberta, manage cultural and historical resources, and promote awareness of the cultural heritage of Alberta’s peoples. In 1987, delivery of multiculturalism programs was made the responsibility of the new Alberta Multiculturalism Commission.

The department provided programs in the following areas:

• Cultural development – financial assistance in the form of grants or awards to persons or organizations in the visual, performing, film, or literary arts; planning and development of public library services and provision of financial assistance to libraries and library organizations; operation of the Northern and Southern Jubilee Auditoria; and film censorship and classification;
• Historic resources management – operation of provincial museums and the Provincial Archives of Alberta, preservation and operation of designated historic sites, oversight of the Archaeological Survey of Alberta, and provision of financial assistance to local museums and nonprofit societies to support preservation of heritage sites, buildings, and materials;
• Multicultural programs – providing financial support and consultative services to groups planning and operating cultural heritage festivals and other related activities, and
• International assistance – provision of grants to member agencies of the Alberta Committee of International Agencies.

The minister was responsible for administration of the following Acts:
Alberta Academy Act, Alberta Art Foundation Act, Alberta Emblems Act, Alberta Foundation for the Arts Act, Alberta Heritage Day Act, Alberta Historical Resources Act, Alberta Order of Excellence Act, Alberta Women’s Bureau Act, Amusements Act (Part 3), Cultural Development Act, Cultural Foundations Act, Department of Culture Act, Department of Culture and Multiculturalism Act, Foreign Cultural Property Immunity Act, Glenbow-Alberta Institute Act, Government House Act, Libraries Act, and Registered Music Teachers’ Association Act.

Predecessor and successor bodies:
The predecessor of the department was the Department of Culture, Youth, and Recreation (Cultural Development and Heritage Resource Development divisions). The successor to the department is the Ministry of Community Development.

Administrative relationships:
The department reported to the Legislative Assembly through the Minister Responsible for Culture (1975–1980), Minister of Culture (1980–1987), and Minister of Culture and Multiculturalism (1987–1992). A number of semi-independent agencies reported either to the minister or through him to the Legislative Assembly. These agencies included the Alberta Cultural Heritage Foundation (1978–1987), Alberta Multiculturalism Commission (1987–1992), Alberta Art Foundation (1972–1991), Alberta Foundation for the Performing Arts (1978–1991), Alberta Foundation for the Literary Arts (1984–1991), Alberta Foundation for the Arts (1991–1992), Alberta Library Board (1948–1992), and Alberta Advisory Council on the Status of Women (1986–1987).

Administrative structure:
The department was composed of the following divisions:

• Cultural Development – Visual Arts and Crafts, Performing Arts, Film and Literary Arts, Library Services, Cultural Heritage, Cultural Facilities Development Branches, Northern and Southern Jubilee Auditoria;
• Historical Resources – Provincial Museum of Alberta, Provincial Archives of Alberta, Archaeological Survey, Historic Sites Services, and museums;
• Cultural Heritage/Heritage Development/Multiculturalism (1988–1992) – development of multicultural programs;
• Special Programs (1978–1988) – citizenship programs, field services regional offices, Native services coordinator, international cultural agreements; and
• Finance and Administration.

  Names of the corporate bodies:
  Department of Cultural Affairs 1975–1980
  Department of Culture 1980–1987
  Department of Culture and Multiculturalism 1987–1992

  Names of chief officers:
  Ministers Responsible for Culture
  Horst Adolph Louis C. Schmid 1975–1979
  Mary J. LeMessurier 1979–1980

  Ministers of Culture
  Mary J. LeMessurier 1980–1986
  Dennis L. Anderson 1986–1987

  Ministers of Culture and Multiculturalism
  Dennis L. Anderson 1987
  Greg Philip Stevens 1987–1989
  Douglas C. Main 1989–1992

• Development and delivery of historical resources preservation programs, including oversight of the Archaeological Survey of Alberta, the Provincial Museum of Alberta, the Provincial Archives of Alberta, and the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology
• Administration of the Alberta Achievement Awards program
• Development and delivery of programs supporting the development of the performing, film, and literary arts in Alberta
• Development and delivery of programs supporting the creation and operation of public libraries and library systems
• Development and delivery of programs supporting cultural heritage organizations and events in support of the province’s multicultural policies
• Oversight of the records management program for agencies of the Government of Alberta
• Development and oversight of provincial historic sites
• Oversight of the province’s geographical names program
• Provision of assistance to international cultural agencies
• Operation of the Northern and Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditoria
• Development and delivery of programs to support the building and operation of senior citizens’ residences
• Development and delivery of youth support and employment programs
• Development and delivery of programs concerned with promoting the welfare of women in Alberta
• Development and delivery of programs to support creation and operation of senior citizens housing facilities
• Administrative support for the Department, including information systems development, human resources, and public relations

The fonds is made up of correspondence, case files from various grant programs, minutes and agendas of various branch, division, board, and departmental committees, briefs and reports, contracts, applications, financial records, ledgers and registers, public records disposition authorities, scripts and booklets, news releases, architectural drawings, and various audio-visual materials.

The fonds contains the records of the Alberta Foundation for the Performing Arts sous-fonds.