Prior to 1948, there were separate sections or divisions within UNESCO for the fields of libraries, museums, arts and letters. In 1948, these units were grouped under the newly created Department of Cultural Activities (CUA). The Department was renamed the Department of Culture in 1965 when the units at headquarters were being reorganized into Sectors creating the Social Sciences, Human Sciences and Culture Sector (SHC). Within SHC, the Department of Culture split in 1972 into the Department of Studies, Development and Dissemination of Culture (CLT) and the Department of Cultural Heritage (CLP). CLT’s name was shortened to the Department of Studies and Development in Culture in c. 1974. In 1975, both CLT and CLP were dissolved in advance of a larger reorganization of the sectors in 1976. At this time, the Culture and Communication Sector (CC) was created. The CC Sector was split apart by programme again so that there was an independent Culture Sector (CLT) from 1981 to 1985, until the programmes merged again to reform CC from 1986 to 1989. The Culture Sector (CLT) has since existed as an independent sector from 1990.

Over its history, CLT and its predecessors back to CUA have had the following directors and assistant director-generals: J. Thomas (1950-1954?); [Acting] P, Kirpal (1956?-1957); R. Salat (1957-1960); [Deputy] S. Asabuki (1962?); L. Gomes Machado (1962-1967); A. Seydou (1968?-1972); for CLT, A. Seydou (1972-1973?); for CLP, G. Bolla (1972-1974); for SHC, M. Elmandjra (1966?-1969); for SHC, R.H. Hoggart (1970-1974); M. Makagiansar (1976-1985); H. Lopes (1986?-1993); L. Arizpe (1994-1998); H. Crespo-Toral ([Deputy 1998-1999], 1999); M. Bouchenaki, ([Acting Interim 2000], 2001-2004); F. Rivière (2007-2010); and, F. Bandarin (2010-present).