Arts education and creative workforce development are not supplementary programming for students. In today’s global digital economy, many jobs require the skills students gain in arts education and creative workforce development programs. Technology jobs, in particular, demand soft skills like strong communication, collaboration and creative problem solving. These are capabilities often developed through arts education.
Institutions of higher education serve as hubs for the arts. They offer programming for students and create a broader ecosystem that supports community engagement. In particular, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have long been drivers of creative workforce development through their arts assets.
Arts assets include art-related events, facilities dedicated to the arts, arts programming and art collections available to students and the surrounding community. In 2025, a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) study identified 1,107 arts assets available to HBCU students, including:
- Arts programming
- Campus venues
- Festivals
- Clubs and organizations
- Partnerships and internships
- Art collections
- Creative workforce development programs
The findings suggest that while public support of arts programming remains critical, partnerships with external arts organizations and philanthropic giving play a central role in strengthening these assets.
How Arts Programming Prepares HBCU Students for the Workforce
Arts programming prepares students for today’s workforce by building many of the skills that employers seek. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs report, creative thinking ranks fourth among the 10 fastest-growing skills projected through 2030. Arts education also helps students become curious about the world, devote themselves to lifelong learning and develop analytical thinking. These skills continue to rank among the most in-demand capabilities in today’s job market. Arts education at HBCUs is especially important because it gives students the opportunity to learn, grow and develop critical skills in an environment where Black culture and artistic expression are celebrated.
Despite clear evidence that arts education supports workforce readiness, steady and sufficient funding for arts programs remains a challenge. As a result, HBCUs and other institutions often rely on multiple funding sources to sustain and grow their programming.
Strategic partnerships and philanthropic giving help supplement public support. Key drivers in strengthening arts assets at HBCUs include:
- Fundraising from private donors
- Alumni support
- Cross-sector collaborations
- Grants
- Mentorship programs
- Research funding
Ensuring that arts programming at HBCUs remains strong and well-funded helps students develop the skills necessary to succeed in the workforce.
How Robert F. Smith Supports the Arts and HBCUs
To ensure that students have access to the arts and arts programming, Robert F. Smith supports several arts organizations through his philanthropy. He serves as Chairman of Carnegie Hall and has helped advance programming that broadens youth access to music education. The Link Up program, for example, develops music curricula and connects students with orchestras across the U.S. Through the Hope and Robert F. Smith Chairman Student Seats, students can attend Carnegie Hall performances. In addition, Smith supports The Sphinx Organization, which works to increase access to classical music and music education opportunities.
Smith has also supported HBCUs more broadly through organizations like Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), which helps ease the burden of student loan debt. This organization was inspired by his gift to eliminate the student loan debt of the entire Morehouse College 2019 graduating class, including the debt incurred by their parents and guardians.
Learn more about how Smith supports HBCUs and arts organizations with his philanthropy on YouTube and LinkedIn.