North Carolina Representative Alma Adams introduced the HBCU Arts Act earlier this week.   According to a press release, the act would invest in arts education and conservation at HBCUs. Congresswoman Adams was an art history professor for 40 years at Bennett College, one of North Carolina’s ten HBCUs.

“Art is a universal language that allows people everywhere to experience and celebrate unique cultures and communities. It expands our worldview,” Adams said.

“Unfortunately, art programs and departments are often among the first ones cut when schools face financial hardship. Through the HBCU Arts Act, we can provide a historic investment to our HBCUs and ensure these programs remain accessible to our students of color for generations to come.”

According to the press release, the bill acknowledges “the importance of fostering a diverse generation of artists and art professionals who are essential for creating, conserving, educating, and supporting African American art.” Its objective is to eliminate financial and other obstacles to HBCU arts education and conservation.

Although the Government Publishing Office has not yet released the bill’s text, the press release stated that it would:

  • Provide financial and other assistance to students in arts, arts education, and cultural programs.
  • Establish outreach programs and development offices for arts, arts education, and cultural arts departments.
  • Provide comprehensive wraparound services for arts, arts education, and cultural students, including faculty and peer mentorship, work-based learning opportunities, guidance counseling, and career advising.
  • Exhibit, maintain, monitor, and protect African American art collections in exhibition and in storage.
  • Provide well-paid apprenticeship, internship, and fellowship opportunities to students in arts, arts education, and cultural programs through partnerships with nonprofit arts, arts education, and cultural institutes.

The National Association for Music Education and Americans for the Arts are among the well-known groups supporting the HBCU Arts Act.

“The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is proud to once again endorse the HBCU Arts Act, reintroduced by Congresswoman Alma Adams,” said Dr. Deborah Confredo, President of the National Association for Music Education. “This important legislation addresses longstanding inequities in funding for arts programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. These institutions have historically nurtured extraordinary artistic talent, often in the face of systemic barriers.

Confredo also said, “By providing targeted support to strengthen music and arts programs at HBCUs, this bill takes a meaningful step toward diversifying the pipeline of professional artists and educators. Artistic expression is both a reflection of and a pathway to understanding the complexity of human experience. Ensuring that creators from a broad spectrum of cultural and historical backgrounds are supported in their development is essential to the health and vitality of our field. NAfME remains steadfast in its commitment to equitable access to high-quality music and arts education, and we strongly urge the 119th Congress to advance this legislation.”