The Department of the Arts held responsibility to co-ordinate and review the major cultural institutions, incorporating the Censorship Office and absorbing the activites of the Western Australian Arts Council. The Department was also charged with the responsibility of ensuring artistic and financial evalution and accountability from receipts of arts grants. The Department's primary role was therefore to:

• advise the State Government on arts policy and cultural development;

• liaise with the appropriate Commonwealth and State Departments, Local Government and the private sector;

• liaise with all sectors within the arts portfolio including Museums, Galleries, Libraries, Trusts and major arts organisations;

• support and promote the arts through programs of direct assistance.

Beyond its broad purposes to encourage, foster and promote the arts, the Arts Council was given specific functions:

• to enhance the standards of performance and execution in all aspects of the arts;
• to make accessible to the public of Western Australia all forms of artistic and cultural work;
• to foster and maintain public interest in the arts and culture of this State.

In 1976 the Western Australian Arts Council became affiliated within the Arts Council of Australia. That Council receives a grant from the Australian Council, to enable it to help individuals, groups and exhibitions to tour country centres in all State and Territories.