To develop, nurture, coordinate and promote performing and visual arts in Hillsborough County, and to contract for artistic services all for the enjoyment, education, cultural enrichment and benefit of the citizens of Hillsborough County.

The Council is the designated funding source for cultural services and is governed by a 15-member board of directors appointed by the County Commissioners. The Council has no membership, but does have a cultural alliance of leaders of arts organizations and artists to derive a common community-wide agenda and to provide a base for arts advocacy. The Council is divided into three divisions: Arts in Education, the Tampa Theatre, and Program Services.