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.
- Bill Number
- S. 4496
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-12: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-21T20:10:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill (S. 4496) amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand how grants for strengthening historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) can be used, specifically to support arts, arts education, and cultural programs. It aims to address underfunding of HBCU arts programs, promote diversity in the arts field, and preserve Black art collections.
Key Provisions
- Congressional Findings: Highlights the value of arts to society (economy, health, creativity, cultural understanding); lack of diversity in museums and arts leadership; HBCUs' role in supporting Black artists; funding shortfalls for arts programs; and HBCUs' historical underfunding compared to predominantly White institutions.
- Expanded Grant Uses (amending Section 323(a) of the Higher Education Act):
- Financial aid and other support for students in arts, arts education, and cultural programs.
- Outreach programs and development offices for arts departments.
- Wraparound services for arts students, such as mentorship, work-based learning, counseling, and career advising.
- Exhibiting, maintaining, and protecting Black art collections.
- Paid apprenticeships, internships, and fellowships through partnerships with nonprofit arts organizations.
- Partnerships: Allows HBCUs to partner with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to carry out these new activities.
- Definition: Defines "arts" as forms of self-expression like performance, literary, visual, graphic, plastic, and decorative arts.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds five new allowable uses (paragraphs 14-18) for HBCU strengthening grants under Section 323(a), shifting existing paragraphs (14) and (15) to (19) and (20).
- Introduces new subsections (d) and (e) for NEA partnerships and the arts definition, broadening the scope of an existing grant program without creating new funding.
Potential Impacts
- HBCUs: Enables funding for arts programs, potentially preventing cuts and supporting program growth.
- Students and Artists: Increases access to affordable arts education, mentorship, and career opportunities, especially for students of color and Black artists.
- Arts Sector: Boosts diversity in museums and arts leadership; aids preservation and display of Black art.
- Government Agencies: U.S. Department of Education (which oversees HEA grants) may see shifted grant priorities; NEA gains new partnership role. No direct international impacts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- HBCUs and their arts departments/faculty.
- Students in arts, arts education, and cultural programs at HBCUs.
- Black artists and art collections.
- Nonprofit arts organizations partnering for internships.
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
- U.S. Department of Education.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Expands an established grant program without new appropriations, relying on existing HEA funds; promotes equity by addressing documented HBCU underfunding.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power for education; no apparent free speech, equal protection, or other constitutional challenges.
- Political: Reinforces support for HBCUs and cultural diversity initiatives, potentially influencing higher education funding debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-12: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-05-12: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- 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. — issued 2026-05-12 — PDF (5 pages)