Kerry has had an Arts Officer in the local authority since 1987. Kerry County Council and the Arts Council jointly fund this post. The present Arts Officer was appointed in 1999.

Arts provision is now considered to be an important function of Local Authority services and the growth of arts activity in Ireland in the last ten years can in many respects be linked to this development. Changes in local government present an opportunity for the arts sector locally. New structures are being designed to maximise local participation and representation in policy planning. The development of arts and culture policies as part of the Strategic Plans will help to further integrate the arts into the delivery of services by local authorities.

The Arts Office has played a proactive role in arts development. It has heightened awareness of the arts and has become a central point of contact for artists, individuals and communities.

Responsibilities of the Arts Officer:

• Formulating policy
  
• Integrating national policy
• Supporting art projects and initiatives throughout the county
• Supporting individual artists of all disciplines
• Promoting the profile of the arts locally and nationally
• Promoting arts in communities and schools
• Encouraging art activities in the library network