The Commission is an advisory body of 18 members appointed by the city council. Fifteen of the members shall be appointed respectively by each city council member, and three of the members shall be appointed by the city council as a whole. The chair of the city council committee with jurisdiction over arts and culture and one member of the park and recreation board of the city shall serve as ex-officio, nonvoting members

Members of the commission must meet the following qualifications:
(1) Members of the commission should be persons who are concerned about cultural affairs in the city of Dallas and may be persons who have professional expertise or substantial volunteer involvement in the following areas: architecture, design, or urban planning; visual, performing, or literary arts; history; science; cultural institutions management; or volunteer cultural board experience.

(2) The membership of the arts and culture advisory commission may include at least one of each of the following persons: a registered professional architect or landscape architect; a professional visual artist; a professional performing artist; a scientist; a historian; and an interested resident who does not represent any specific cultural organization or interest group.

(3) Three members of the commission appointed by the City Council as a whole shall also serve on the public art committee of the arts and culture advisory commission, and, in addition to qualifying for service on the commission under this section, must meet the qualifications for service on the public art committee as set forth in the city's cultural policy and program adopted by city council resolution.