Introduced in Senate — S. 4496

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 4496

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 12, 2026

Ms. Alsobrooks (for herself and Mr. Justice) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

A BILL

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for additional uses of funds for grants to strengthen historically Black colleges and universities, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Section 1. Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1)

According to a 2021 study by Americans for the Arts, the arts are an invaluable aspect of American society, as they strengthen the economy, improve healthcare, spark creativity and innovation, and unify communities, with 73 percent of participants agreeing that the arts help them to better understand other cultures.

(2)

Many United States museums are grappling with diversity. Studies report that only 1.4 percent of artists featured in America’s top museums are black, only 4 percent of staff directors at top museums are Black, and only 2.5 percent of Black Americans are owners of Arts-Entertainment business.

(3)

Historically Black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, are uniquely positioned to produce a diverse generation of art professionals and help bring much needed attention to works by Black artists. HBCUs have historically served as long-standing conservators and crucial supporters of Black art and for the teaching, supporting, and displaying of essential Black artists who may otherwise have remained unrecognized.

(4)

Arts programs and arts departments are expensive and have often fallen victim to funding shortfalls. In 2018, the College Art Association reported that at least 18 institutions of higher education planned to severely curtail or eliminate their arts departments.

(5)

HBCUs have also been underfunded by $12,600,000,000 compared to their predominantly White counterparts over the last 30 years. Some HBCUs have shrunk, consolidated, or cut their arts programs due to limited resources.

(6)

An increased investment in HBCU arts, arts education, and culture programs can further help students of color access an affordable arts education and ensure the continued preparation, conservation, display, and study of works by Black artists.

Sec. 2. Strengthening historically Black colleges and universities

Section 323 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1062) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

by redesignating paragraphs (14) and (15) as paragraphs (19) and (20), respectively; and

(B)

by inserting after paragraph (13) the following:

(14)
Providing financial and other assistance to students in arts, arts education, and cultural programs.
(15)
Establishing outreach programs and development offices for arts, arts education, and cultural departments.
(16)
Providing comprehensive wraparound services for arts, arts education, and cultural students, including faculty and peer mentorship, work-based learning opportunities, guidance counseling, and career advising.
(17)
Exhibiting, maintaining, monitoring, and protecting Black art collections in exhibition and in storage.
(18)
Providing 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.; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(d) National Endowment for the Arts
An institution may enter into a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts to carry out the activities described in paragraphs (14) through (18) of subsection (a).
(e) Definition
In this section, the term arts means art forms used for self-expression and interpretation, including performance, literary, visual, graphic, plastic, and decorative arts.