Senators Jim Justice and Angela Alsobrooks introduced the HBCU Arts Act, which would increase investments in HBCU arts education by amending Section 323 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include provisions that support arts programs in HBCUs.
Increase investment in HBCU arts education.
Occurrences
introduced the HBCU Arts Act, legislation to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for additional uses of funds, including arts education, for grants to strengthen Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Evidence
Sen. Angela Alsobrooks and Sen. Jim Justice introduced the HBCU Arts Act on May 13, 2026. The office said the bill would amend the Higher Education Act to add arts education and cultural-program uses for HBCU grant funding, including financial aid for arts students, outreach offices, wraparound services, Black art preservation, and internships.
Congress.gov shows H.R.2664 was introduced on 04/07/2025 and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on the same day. The bill text states it would provide additional uses of funds for grants to strengthen HBCUs, including arts, arts education, and culture programs.
Assessments
Alsobrooks made a concrete same-term legislative effort by introducing the bipartisan HBCU Arts Act to expand allowable HBCU grant uses for arts education, cultural programs, student aid, preservation, internships, and related supports. However, the evidence shows the proposal was only introduced or referred and had not been enacted or otherwise funded as an increased investment. Because the promised outcome was an increase in investment, not merely bill introduction, this is a serious attempt but not delivered.