The organization works in partnership with the nine state arts councils of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
The NEA's House reauthorizing committee encouraged the development of RAO's in 1973 to create a more effective mechanism for delivering services, especially those related to touring and presenting the performing arts.
The United States Congress sets aside a specific appropriation within the NEA budget for the "states and their regional organizations."
The legislation creating South Arts and the other Regional Arts Organizations was introduced by Public Law 93-133: South Arts is supported additionally with funding from private foundations, corporations, individuals and dues paid by member states, which include Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee.
These include: South Arts works in partnership with nine member state arts councils: