Southern Tablelands Arts has evolved from an informal grouping of local government and local Arts Council representatives in 1996 known as Southern Tablelands Regional Arts Advisory Council. The main role of the organisation was to provide support and advice to a newly appointed Regional Arts Development Officer. In 1997 the organisation became incorporated and was renamed as Southern Tablelands Regional Arts Inc in 1998.
From 1996 to 1999 the Arts Council of NSW was responsible for the financial management of the organisation and employment of the Regional Arts Development Officer. During 1998/99 there was a transition to local, more direct management including employment of staff, collection of local government contributions, diversifying the membership base, drafting and managing budgets relating to programs and day to day operational duties.
From 1996 to 2017 there have been five Regional Arts Development Officers. The position title changed to Executive Director in 2016. The first part-time administration assistant was employed in 2001 and the first part time communications officer was employed in 2013. In 2020, the Executive Director and Coordinator Community Arts and Communications are full time positions and there is a volunteer administration assistant