The Northampton Arts Council is a city board and a non-profit organization whose goal is to support and promote the arts in Northampton.  Originally created as a Local Arts Lottery Council, it began its work by administering a grants program in which proceeds from a state lottery are distributed to local artists, arts groups, and public schools.  Over the years the Council has expanded its role to include arts advocacy, public art projects, biennial juried exhibits, and maintaining the diverse cultural heritage of Northampton.  The Council is the only one in the state that still has two rounds of funding each year, thanks to its annual fundraising events Transperformance and Four Sundays in February.  The Northampton Arts Council is governed by a volunteer board of directors, appointed by the city’s mayor, and is staffed by an Executive Director and an Arts Administrator.