WASHINGTON – Howard University Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts was recommended for the National Endowment for the Arts’ American Rescue Plan (ARP) award for $150,000 to help the arts and cultural sector recover from the pandemic. The college may use this funding to save jobs and to fund operations and facilities, health and safety supplies, and marketing and promotional efforts to encourage attendance and participation.

The American Rescue Plan was signed into law in March 2021 and included $135 million for the National Endowment for the Arts for the arts sector. This is the third installment of ARP funding. In April 2021, the NEA announced $52 million (40 percent) in ARP funding would be allocated to 62 state, jurisdictional and regional arts organizations for sub-granting through their respective programs. In November 2021, the NEA announced $20.2 million to 66 local arts agencies for sub-granting to local artists and art organizations.

“With studies in art, music and theater arts, the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts has been preparing students for advanced studies and careers in the arts by offering comprehensive academic preparation, professional and industry training in their chosen disciplines,” says Denise Saunders Thompson, assistant dean for administration. “There is great need for this type of funding to provide extended opportunities for the college to continue to work with and support artists, faculty and staff engaged with students in coursework, research, interdisciplinary studies and collaborative programs. The arts play an integral role in our culture and community, and we are extremely thankful to the NEA for this tremendous support.” 

The NEA encouraged applications from a variety of organizations for this opportunity and provided numerous resources for navigating the application process.

“Our nation’s arts sector has been among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Endowment for the Arts’ American Rescue Plan funding will help arts organizations rebuild and reopen,” said Maria Rosario Jackson, chair of the NEA. “The arts are crucial to helping America’s communities heal, unite and inspire as well as essential to our nation’s economic recovery.” 

The NEA recognizes that the financial needs of the arts and culture field far outweigh the available funds that will be awarded through these programs and encourages eligible organizations to explore the agency’s other grant opportunities, which can be found on arts.gov. 

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

About the National Endowment for the Arts

Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the Arts Endowment supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. To learn more, visit arts.gov.

Media Contact: Aaliyah Butler; aaliyah.butler@howard.edu