Windgate Foundation Boosts Arkansas State University with $9.49 Million Grant: Discover the Impact!

The Windgate Foundation has generously awarded $9.49 million in new grants to Arkansas State University for scholarships, arts education, and community outreach. Chancellor Todd Shields shared this exciting news on Wednesday.

Here’s how the funds break down:

• $5.2 million for need-based scholarships.
• $3.1 million to support the Bradbury Art Museum’s directorship and cover operating costs, plus improvements to storage and facilities.
• $1.19 million for programs, equipment, and materials for the Windgate Center for Three-Dimensional Arts, which opened in September 2021.

Chancellor Shields expressed gratitude to the Windgate Foundation, noting, “Their belief in education and the arts creates lasting change on our campus and in the lives of our students.”

This isn’t the first time the Windgate Foundation has invested in A-State. In December 2021, they made a historic $25 million gift for a new facility, now called the Windgate Hall of Art and Innovation. Earlier, in September 2018, they contributed $6.7 million for the Windgate Center for Three-Dimensional Arts, revealed during the dedication of the Windgate Gallery in the Bradbury Arts Museum.

The Windgate Foundation has a track record of supporting the arts, providing grants that have enhanced scholarships and outreach programs at the Bradbury Art Museum, making art more accessible to all. Based in Little Rock, the foundation aims to advance contemporary craft and strengthen visual arts education across the U.S.

Data shows that arts education significantly enhances students’ creativity and engagement. According to a report by the National Endowment for the Arts, students involved in arts learning programs score better academically and socially than those who aren’t. This highlights just how impactful these investments can be for future generations.

As discussions around funding for education and the arts continue, the sustained support from the Windgate Foundation sets a strong example of community commitment to cultural and educational growth.

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