HR 5399

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 16, 2025

Ms. Kamlager-Dove (for herself, Ms. Velazquez, Mr. Fields, Ms. Bonamici, Ms. Norton, and Mr. Thanedar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Education to carry out a grant program to support arts education at minority-serving institutions of higher education.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Equitable Arts Education Enhancement Act”.

SEC. 2. 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) The American Alliance of Museums found that “93 percent of museum directors are white, as are 92.6 percent of board chairs and 89.3 percent of board members”, reflecting a clear lack of diversity in the leadership of museums.

(3) Minority-serving institutions, or “MSIs”, are uniquely positioned to produce a diverse generation of art professionals and help bring much needed attention to works by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists. MSIs have historically served as long-standing conservators and crucial supporters of artist from diverse backgrounds. At a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion are being targeted, the teaching, supporting, and displaying of essential Minority artists who may otherwise have remained unrecognized must be prioritized.

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

SEC. 3. GRANTS TO MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS.

(a) In General.—The Secretary of Education (referred to in this section as the “Secretary”) shall carry out a program under which the Secretary makes grants to minority-serving institutions, on a competitive basis, to support arts education at such institutions.

(b) Applications.—To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a minority-serving institution shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(c) Uses of Funds.—A minority-serving institution that receives a grant under this section shall use such grant to support increased racial minority access to arts education at the institution, which may include—

(1) providing financial and other assistance to students in arts, arts education, and cultural programs;

(2) establishing outreach programs and development offices for arts, arts education, and cultural departments;

(3) 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;

(4) presenting and exhibiting art and performances produced by minority-serving institutions, and maintaining, monitoring, and protecting minority art collections in exhibition and in storage;

(5) 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;

(6) offering stipends to students in arts education preparation programs to enable such students to participate in clinical experiences;

(7) developing mentoring programs for future arts educators;

(8) providing training and stipends for mentor teachers; and

(9) paying for future arts educators and mentor teachers to participate in professional learning opportunities offered by nonprofit arts education organizations.

(d) Considerations.—In determining the appropriate uses of funds under subsection (c), a minority-serving institution shall give special consideration to uses of funds that directly benefit minority students.

(e) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) The term “arts” means art forms used for self- expression and interpretation, including dance, music, theater, literary, visual, graphic, media arts, plastic, and decorative arts.

(2) The term “minority” means an individual from an underrepresented racial minority.

(3) The term “minority-serving institution” means an institution specified in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)). <all>