The Barbados Arts Council (BAC) was inaugurated on December 6th, 1957; Hugh Springer, later Sir Hugh Springer, Governor-General of Barbados was the first President and Chairperson. Established as a non-governmental umbrella organisation for all the arts of Barbados, the BAC continued the work of the Barbados Arts and Craft Society which had been founded by Mrs. Golde White under the British Arts Council. During its early years, the BAC benefitted greatly from the advice and assistance of the British Arts Council. In 1959, when the British organisation discontinued its activities in Barbados, all its film and drama equipment as well as the resource library was donated to the local organisation.