by: Sarah Davis
A new piece of legislation would bring more support to college art and culture programs.
United States Senator Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) paid a visit to West Virginia State University, one of the two historically Black colleges and universities in the state, to discuss a new act that would benefit students.
The HBCU Arts Act was introduced by Justice and Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) in May.
If passed, the act would give more uses for federal grants to historically Black colleges and universities, like financial assistance for students in art and cultural programs and maintaining African American art collections.
Justice said supporting the arts is vital to their impact in the Mountain State.
“At one time, there was folks within our state that decided the best thing for us is to just defund the arts and culture, or put it over in education and just shove it to the back of the room,” he said. “Big time mistake in my book, and we didn’t do that because it is absolutely our soul.”
“Why give up our heritage of who we are in West Virginia?” Justice said.
WVSU President Ericke Cage said that the arts are one of the only fields that creates an instant community.
“In many ways, arts has really been the thing that has helped to unite us over the years,” Cage said. “It helps tell stories about the past, about the present and about the future.”
That collective aspect is something that he has seen pop up at his institution.
“The arts are very special because through a variety of different mediums, whether it be through painting, through storytelling, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “The arts are all about finding ways to express both individuality and also collectivism in a way that helps to unite us, to bring us together.”
The act would also bring more internship and mentorship opportunities for students in the programs.
Bluefield State University is the second HBCU in West Virginia.
