Arts, Humanities, and Cultural Affairs Act of 1976

(Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 94-1631)

Arts, Humanities, and Cultural Affairs Act - =Title I: Arts and Humanities= - Removes the restriction that projects and productions supported by the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts must be located within the United States.

Provides that the amount of each allotment to a State for any fiscal year shall be available to pay up to 50 percent of the cost of any project or production relating to the arts.

Requires Senate approval of Presidential appointment of members to the National Council on the Arts and the National Council on the Humanities.

Authorizes the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities to establish a grants-in-aid program to assist States in developing and promoting the humanities. Sets forth standards relating to program administration for plans submitted by States seeking assistance. Specifies a formula for alloting funds appropriated for grants-in-aid.

Provides that a group, individual, State, or State agency may not receive grants, under such Act, unless such group, individual, State, or State agency provides assurances to the Secretary of Labor that performers and professional personnel employed on the projects or productions involved will be paid not less than the prevailing minimum compensation as determined by such Secretary; to the health and safety of the employees.

Authorizes the appropriation to the National Endowment for the Arts and to the National Endowment for the Humanities of specified sums for fiscal years 1977 and 1978 and such funds as may be necessary for fiscal years 1979 and 1980.

=Title II: Museum Services= - Museum Services Act - Establishes, within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, an Institute of Museum Services, consisting of a National Museum Services Board and a Director of the Institute.

Authorizes the Director, subject to the policy direction of the Board, to make grants to museums to increase and improve museum services. Confers authority to the Institute to accept grants, gifts, or bequests of money for immediate disbursement in furtherance of the functions of the Institute.

Directs the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities to advise and consult with the Board and the Director on major problems incurred by the Institute and to coordinate the Institute's policies and activities with those of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Authorizes the appropriation of funds for grants by the Institute for fiscal years 1977 through 1980.

=Title III: Challenge Grant Program= - Authorizes the Chairmen of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities to establish a program of contracts with, or grants-in-aid to, public agencies and private nonprofit organizations for the purpose of assisting cultural organizations and institutions and promoting citizen involvement with such bodies.

Authorizes the appropriation of funds through fiscal year 1980 to carry out such program. Permits the transfer of funds between the two Endowments.

=Title IV: American Bicentennial Photography and Film Project= - Establishes a two year bicentennial photographic and film project. Authorizes the appropriation to the National Endowment for the Arts of specified sums in fiscal years 1977 and 1978 to carry out such project.

=Title V: Arts Education Program= - Amends the Education Amendments of 1974 to authorize the appropriation of $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 for elementary and secondary school education in the arts.