Functional responsibility:
The Department of Culture, Youth, and Recreation was responsible for the creation, administration, and delivery of programs to promote the cultural development of Alberta; support of community-based organizations providing youth recreation and leadership training programs, and management of cultural and historical resources; and creation, administration, and delivery of provincial sport and recreation development programs.

Department programs included providing financial support for the development and maintenance of public libraries, and to individuals and organizations in the performing, film, literary, and fine arts; oversight of the Provincial Museum and Archives of Alberta; supervision of the Public Documents/Public Records Committee; providing film classification services; support and consultative services to municipalities to aid development of recreation facilities and programs; development of provincial amateur sport programs; providing financial support to the province’s 4–H clubs; operation of the Junior Forest Warden program; and consultative services and support to community-based organizations operating youth services programs.

The Minister of Culture, Youth, and Recreation was responsible for administration of the following Acts: Alberta Academy Act; Alberta Emblems Act; Alberta Heritage Act; Alberta Youth Foundation Act; Amusements Act (1972–1975); Cultural Development Act; Geographical Names Act; Glenbow-Alberta Institute Act; Interprovincial Lotteries Act (1974–1975); Libraries Act; Department of Culture, Youth, and Recreation Act; Public Documents Act; Recreation Development Act; and Registered Music Teachers’ Association Act.

Predecessor and successor bodies:
The predecessors to the department were the Department of Youth (youth and recreation programs) and the Department of the Provincial Secretary (cultural and historical resources programs). The Department of Culture and the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Wildlife succeeded the department.

Administrative relationships:
The department reported to the Legislative Assembly through the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Recreation. Three semi-independent agencies, the Alberta Library Board, the Alberta Art Foundation, and the Geographic Board of Alberta, reported to the minister.

Administrative structure:
The department was composed of divisions responsible for each of its main program areas:

• Youth Development – 4–H and Junior Forest Warden, youth, community, and volunteer services programs;
• Recreation Development – community recreation, outdoor education, sport and fitness programs, and recreation services to special groups;
• Cultural Development – visual, performing, film, and literary arts support programs; the Board of Censors; library support programs; cultural heritage programs; and oversight of the Northern and Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditoria;
• Heritage Resources – oversight of the Archaeological Survey, Provincial Archives, records management, Provincial Museum, and heritage sites; and
• Field Services – regional recreation and youth programs staff.

Names of chief officers:
Minister of Culture, Youth, and Recreation
Horst Adolph Louis C. Schmid 1971–1975

• Creation and administration of cultural development programs, including programs providing support to public libraries, and organizations and individuals involved in the performing and visual arts
• Administration of youth programs, including support of provincial 4-H associations and volunteer services
• Administration of programs supporting recreational development
• Operation of the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

The fonds also includes the following sous-fonds: the Advisory Board on Objectionable Publications.