Department of Cultural Resources

As the nation's first cabinet-level state department for the arts, history, and libraries, the mission of the Department of Cultural Resources is to enrich the cultural, educational, and economic well-being of North Carolina's citizens and visitors. The Department accomplishes this by working to enhance the availability and quality of our state's historic, library, and artistic resources.

Cultural activities are integral to the daily lives of North Carolinians and a healthy economy. DCR works to preserve, develop, promote, and share the state's artistic, historic, and informational treasures. In addition to the North Carolina Arts Council, the following are also agencies of the Department of Cultural Resources:

• North Carolina Museum of Art
  The paintings and sculpture in North Carolina's art collection represent more than 5,000 years of artistic heritage, from ancient Egypt to the present.
  
  
• North Carolina Museum of History
  Education programs, exhibits, and more than 250,000 artifacts chronicle North Carolina history through this statewide museum system.
  
  
• Office of Archives and History
  Collects, preserves, and utilizes North Carolina's historic resources so that present and future residents may better understand their history.
  
  
• State Library of North Carolina
  Using the power of information to enrich the lives of the people of North Carolina.
  
  
• North Carolina Symphony
  The North Carolina Symphony performs about 180 concerts and events a year throughout the state.