The council may hold public and private hearings, enter into contracts with individuals, organizations and institutions for services furthering the cultural objectives of the council’s programs; enter into contracts with local and regional associations for cooperative endeavors furthering the cultural objectives of the council’s programs; accept gifts, contributions and bequests of unrestricted funds from individuals, foundations, corporations and other organizations or institutions for the purpose of furthering the cultural objectives of the council’s programs; make and sign any agreements and do and perform any acts that may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this act. The council may receive from any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state such assistance and data as to enable it properly to carry out its powers and duties hereunder.