You ever walk through an HBCU campus? Seriously, it’s like stepping into a living mixtape—drumlines banging, choirs belting, artists painting murals that basically shout “look at me!” So it’s about time someone noticed how all that creativity isn’t just for vibes. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) finally dropped a report that’s like, “Hey, these schools are low-key launching pads for art careers.”
Today’s the day: Hidden in Plain Sight: Activating the Arts and Creative Workforce Development at HBCUs just landed. It digs into how HBCUs keep the arts alive, how they lift up their neighborhoods, and what needs to happen so more students can snag real, paying gigs in the arts world—not just hustle for exposure.
Where the Arts (and Jobs) Are Popping Off
This isn’t just another campus pep talk. The report zooms out and actually maps where the real action is—which arts jobs are blowing up near HBCUs. Like, Atlanta’s blowing up in film and digital media, Houston’s got music production on lock. The point? HBCUs are smack in the middle of places where culture and career possibilities collide.
They picked apart three spots for extra credit:
- Atlanta University Center Consortium (Georgia)
- Jackson State University (Mississippi)
- Texas Southern University (Texas)
The takeaway? HBCUs aren’t just clinging to the past; they’re prepping students for what’s next. It’s like remixing tradition with innovation so graduates can actually get paid.
The NEA’s Big Pitch
Mary Anne Carter over at the NEA isn’t mincing words:
“This new report from the NEA shines a light on the many ways HBCUs are helping students build careers in arts-related fields while also identifying opportunities for both schools and funders to further their support.”
Translation: HBCUs are more than just culture—they’re cash machines if people invest right.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
2M Research helped cook up the study, and it’s packed with extras:
- A no-nonsense executive summary
- A state-by-state cheat sheet for where the arts scene is blowing up near HBCUs
- Infographics for days—so you don’t have to read a novel to get the gist
The NEA isn’t just talking the talk, either. As part of the White House Initiative on HBCUs, they run the Interagency Competitiveness Cluster for Arts, History, Humanities, & Culture (yeah, it’s a mouthful). They even bagged a Public Partnership Award back in 2019 for this stuff.
Why Should Anyone Care?
Let’s keep it real: the arts have always pulsed through HBCU life. What’s wild is how this new research proves those roots can actually lead to real jobs—tourism, design, performing, digital media, you name it. With some extra love (and cash), HBCUs could be the ultimate pipelines to the creative economy.
Bottom line: it’s not just about making art anymore. It’s about making a living with art. The real challenge? Making sure these students don’t just create cool stuff, but stick around to get paid for it too.
Want to geek out on the details? Hit up the NEA site for the full report.
About the Author
