Backed by a historic $5 million gift from the Windgate Foundation, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is poised to transform its academic programs for visual artists through bold new learning and creative spaces.
Chancellor Anthony Graham announced Wednesday this gift is the largest single investment in the university's history.
Historic Gift
"The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is profoundly grateful to the Windgate Foundation for this pivotal and historic gift," Chancellor Graham said. "This investment affirms the vital role of the arts in higher education and in the cultural life of our region. As we work to meet the needs of today's artists, this gift allows us to construct a cutting-edge facility, expand opportunities for creativity, and foster an environment where our students can thrive as scholars, innovators and cultural leaders. The Windgate Foundation's generosity strengthens our ability to prepare the next generation of artists who will shape Arkansas and beyond."
UAPB alumni include co-founder of AfriCOBRA Jeff Donaldson, Kevin Cole, and Emmy award-winning animator Byron Vaughns.
UAPB Windgate Foundation Partnership
"We are honored to continue our partnership with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff through this investment to expand the capacity of its art department," said Patricia Forgy, executive director at Windgate Foundation. "We believe that art not only connects us and deepens our understanding of the world, but that access to art is critically important in a student's life. By supporting UAPB, we are helping to ensure that students can thrive in an environment that reflects their talent, history, and potential."
The $5 million gift will fund construction of a new Art Tower at the Hathaway-Howard Fine Arts Center, marking the facility's first major renovation in more than three decades. The addition will redefine the center's appearance and serve as a striking gateway for visitors arriving from the Martha Mitchell Expressway. Rising as the tallest building on campus, the Art Tower will add classrooms and studio space to meet UAPB's growing needs while expanding the university's cultural footprint.
"We are honored to continue our partnership with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff through this investment to expand the capacity of its art department.“
Expansion at a Glance
- New "Art Tower" addition to Hathaway-Howard Fine Arts Center
- Expanded classrooms and studio spaces with expansive wall of windows to provide abundant natural light
- Modernized facilities to support enrollment growth and creative innovation
- First major arts facility expansion in more than 30 years
UAPB Windgate Foundation Investment Summary
This latest gift brings the Windgate Foundation's investment in UAPB and the arts programs to nearly $8 million over the past decade, including $2 million for an endowed scholarship for first-generation students and more than $850,000 for art initiatives that engage young artists, students, and the community.
About the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Founded in 1873, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is the state's oldest and only public land-grant Historically Black College and University (HBCU). With more than 70 academic programs, UAPB continues its mission of preparing students to be leaders of change in Arkansas and the world. UAPB delivers a distinct value proposition: a 4-year investment with lifelong returns. The university combines academic excellence, cultural pride, affordability, and career readiness to prepare graduates for success. With nationally recognized programs in agriculture, aquaculture, STEM, business, and the arts, UAPB provides students with high-quality education at a cost that remains among the most affordable in the region.
About the Windgate Foundation
Windgate Foundation, based in Little Rock Arkansas, is a private foundation established in 1993 whose purpose is to advance contemporary craft and strengthen visual arts education in the United States. Education, health, and community initiatives are an additional area of focus in Arkansas.
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