Arts Council designated as a separate entity under the Governor’s Office

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As the “government and people of American Samoa seek to preserve and celebrate Samoan art and culture,” Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga — through an executive order — established within the Governor’s Office, the American Samoa Council on the Arts, Culture and Humanities, which will have no authority over the Jean P. Haydon Museum.

While the Council has been in existence for a long time, the governor’s order — issued last month — brings this ASG entity under the helm of the Governor’s Office with more specific responsibilities as the Lemanu-Talauega Administration puts additional focus on the importance of preservation of the Samoan culture for future generations, according to two ASG officials familiar with the intent of the order.

The governor’s order outlines the Council’s powers, duties, and responsibilities and notes it is subject to “ultimate authority” of the governor. Among the purposes of the Council, is to establish and formulate general policy for promotion, advancement, and maintenance of the arts, humanities, museum and the Samoan culture.

The Council shall also endeavor to sponsor training programs in the arts and humanities not only for American Samoa, but also conduct intercultural exchange programs and art performances with other states, countries and societies, if applicable and permissible under local and federal laws.

According to the governor’s order, the Council may establish programs in American Samoa in artistic cultural activities, including but not limited to music, theater, dance, painting, sculpture, architecture, arts and crafts, and non-Samoan arts, and to also make recommendations concerning appropriate methods to encourage participation in an appreciation of the arts.

Additionally, the Council shall take steps necessary and appropriate to encourage public interest in the cultural heritage of the Territory and expand the Territory’s cultural resources. Furthermore, the Council shall encourage and assist freedom of artistic expression essential for the well-being of the arts.

MEMBERSHIP

According to the order, the 7-member Council is appointed by the governor from among residents of the territory and they serve at the pleasure of the governor. And based on availability of the Council’s budget, members shall receive compensation for their services, and shall be entitled to travel pay per diem when traveling on official business at the discretion of the executive director.

While the order says that the chairman and vice chair are appointed by the governor, no additional information was included a set a budget for agency.

Also stated in the order is the establishment of a professional staff, who are paid employees of ASG, and they will administer the decisions and policies of the Council. And the staff is headed by an executive director, appointed by the governor.

The order also dictates the duties and powers of the executive director, who — among other things — on behalf of the Council, accepts gifts, donations, bequests, or devises of money or other property, personal or real with or without condition, in support of its general purpose and objectives.

Furthermore, the executive director shall develop and prepare applications for all federal grants — subject to the governor’s approval — and in this connection, the Council acts as the state agency for the purpose of fulfilling all necessary requirements as provided for under provisions of federal National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act, and other applicable regulations and laws of the federal government.

Samoa News notes that at the beginning of the Lemanu Administration, the governor appointed Fuata M. Tiumalu as executive director, who is currently on leave since June 3. The deputy director Dr. Mary Taufete’e was designated acting executive director until Tuimalu returns.

MUSEUM OF AMERICAN SAMOA

The governor directed that the Council shall coordinate activities with the Museum of American Samoa — which oversees the Jean P. Haydon Museum — and its Board of Trustees, but it shall have no authority over the museum.

Any funds or property of the museum shall be overseen by the Board of Trustees in accordance with local law, according to the executive order, which became effective May 12 this year, and supersedes a previous order issued in 2020.