The council shall:

(a) Encourage artistic awareness, participation and expression.

(b) Help independent local groups develop their own art programs.

(c) Promote the employment of artists and those skilled in crafts in both the public and private sector.

(d) Provide for the exhibition of art works in public buildings throughout California.

(e) Enlist the aid of all state agencies in the task of ensuring the fullest expression of our artistic potential.

(f) Adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act necessary for proper execution of the powers and duties granted to the council by this chapter.

(g) Employ such administrative, technical, and other personnel as may be necessary.

(h) Fix the salaries of the personnel employed pursuant to this chapter which salaries shall be fixed as nearly as possible to conform to the salaries established by the State Personnel Board for classes of positions in the state civil service involving comparable duties and responsibilities.

(i) Appoint advisory committees whenever necessary. Members of an advisory committee shall serve without compensation, but each may be reimbursed for necessary traveling and other expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.

(j) Request and obtain from any department, division, board, bureau, commission, or other agency of the state such assistance and data as will enable it properly to carry on its power and duties.

(k) Hold hearings, execute agreements, and perform any acts necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(l) Accept federal grants, for any of the purposes of this chapter.

(m) Accept only unrestricted gifts, donations, bequests, or grants of funds from private sources and public agencies, for any of the purposes of this chapter. However, the council shall give careful consideration to any donor requests concerning specific dispositions.

(n) Establish grant application criteria and procedure.

(o) Award prizes or direct grants to individuals or organizations in accordance with such regulations as the council may prescribe. In awarding prizes or directing grants, the council shall notify the offices of the legislators in whose district the recipient resides.

(p) Have the authority to appoint peer review panels whenever necessary. Each member of a peer review panel may, at the discretion of the council, receive a per diem and honorarium for each day of service and be reimbursed for necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 869, Sec. 1. (AB 2456) Effective January 1, 2019.)