Guam Council on the Arts & Humanities

The Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency was established in1967 by the late Dr. Pedro Sanchez under the University of Guam and was then called the Insular Arts Council (IAC). The agency was dedicated to the development of programs in music, visual arts, cultural heritage, literature, and arts education. In 1972, Louise Hotaling served as IAC's first program director under the University-Community cooperative board of directors. Through Executive Order 75-23, the late Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo re-established the Insular Arts Council as part of the executive office in 1975. Peter Guerrero served as the IAC's first Executive Director followed by Margaret Smith, who was later replaced by Laura Souder, Chairperson of the Arts Council. Under the initial heroic attempts by the late Senator Cecilia Bamba and a subsequent effort by Senator Carmen Kasperbauer, the Guam Council on the Humanities Agency was officially established as the state arts agency with the signing of Public Law 16-22 on December 23, 1982. Public Law 18-8 was enacted to ensure KAHA's perpetual existence in support of the arts on Guam. Sister Mary Callista was the first Executive Director of KAHA followed by executive appointees: Annie Stone, Linda Taitano Reyes, Alberto A. Lamorena V, Deborah J. Bordallo, Linda Taitano Reyes, Johnny G. Sablan, and presently Sylvia M. Flores. Ms. Flores serves as KAHA's Executive Director through the appointment of Guam's present Governor, the Honorable Felix P. Camacho. Guam KAHA's programs are numerous and include the issuance of grants to individuals and organizations for the perpetuation of the arts and culture of our island, such as folk arts projects, visual arts displays and exhibits, and music and theatre productions to name a few. The KAHA Gallery and Administrative Office are also a base constituency inquiry of programs and projects and is located at the Puntan Dos Amantes, Two Lovers Point, Harmon cliff line.