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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) introduced the Equitable Arts Education Enhancement Act to increase access to the arts for underserved communities. Representatives Alma Adams (NC-12), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) joined Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove as original co-sponsors of the bill.
“As Angelenos, we understand the fundamental role the arts play in empowering, inspiring, and uplifting our diverse communities. Despite overwhelming public support for arts programs, funding cuts are increasing in frequency, disproportionately impacting Black people, people of color, and underserved communities,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation, which would create art education grants for Minority Serving Institutions to ensure that all students can express their creativity and benefit from the power of the arts.”
Specifically, the Equitable Arts Education Enhancement Act would:
- Direct the Department of Education to administer a competitive grant program that can be used by Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to:
- Provide financial and other assistance to students in the arts, arts education, and cultural departments;
- Establish outreach programs and development offices for arts, arts education, and cultural 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 Minority art collections in exhibition and in storage; and
- 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.
- Increase federal funding to MSIs to improve arts education and access for minority students; and
- Provide an expansive definition of the arts to ensure all forms of art can benefit, including performance, literary, visual, graphic, plastic, and decorative arts.
The Equitable Arts Enhancement Act has been endorsed by the following organizations: American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Americans for the Arts, Association of Art Museum Directors, CMA Foundation, Conn Selmer, Create CA, Educational Theatre Association, Hawaii Youth Symphony, Jazz at Lincoln Center, JazzSLAM, Lang Lang International Music Foundation, League of American Orchestras, Music Teacher Guild, Music Travel Consultants, Music Will, National Art Education Association, National Association for Media Arts Education, National Association for Music Education, National Association of Music Merchants, National Concerts, National Dance Education Organization, National Guild for Community Arts Education, National Network for Folk Arts and Education, Organization of American Kodaly Educators, Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society, Rock and Soul Forever Foundation, Sankofa Songs, Springfield Symphony, Theatre Communications Group, and Young Audiences Arts for Learning.
Quotes from endorsing organizations can be found here.
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