Hbcu Cultured Dance and Arts Society

Why was HBCU Cultured Dance and Arts Society formed?

There has been substantial research suggesting that artistic creative expression can have significant 

benefits on one’s overall mental health where engagement in creative and performing arts has been shown 

to reduce cortisol (stress hormones) levels and improve positive mental states. Despite evidence of the 

benefits from performing arts, for many communities and educational settings, the arts continue to be 

marginalized. Specifically, for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, although HBCU’s have been

 at the cornerstone of Black cultural artistry as evidenced by the number of HBCU students and faculty, 

both past and present, who have made significant contributions to the performing arts industry, funding 

for HBCU  performing arts programs continues to be substantially lower  than other programs. 

Recognizing the importance of performing arts to the emotional well-being of others as well as the 

preservation of culture and community, the HBCU Cultured Dance and Arts Society was born. 

Purpose of the Organization

From gospel music studies to jazz ensemble performances, Historically Black Colleges and Universities

throughout the United States have played an essential role in providing the educational foundation and

exposure opportunities for students pursuing their interests in arts, music, cinema, design, and dance. The 

HBCU Cultured Dance and Arts Society strives to bring awareness to the significant past and present 

contributions of HBCU’s to the performing arts community while also strengthening the infrastructure 

and providing technical and financial assistance for existing programs to ensure their sustainability for 

years to come. To this point, the goals of the HBCU Cultured Dance and Arts Society are as follows: (a) 

to bring more awareness of existing dance, music, cinema, theater, and design performing arts programs 

of HBCU’s as well as HBCU arts pipeline and affiliate programs (b) to generate funding to support 

identified performing arts programs of HBCU’s and HBCU pipeline youth programs (c) to provide 

scholarships for aspiring and current students who identify performing arts as their selected college major at an 

HBCU and (d) to provide start-up business grants and exposure opportunities for HBCU current students and/or 

alumni who have an existing business and/or desire to start a business within the performing arts industry.