Windgate Foundation Invests $5 Million to Transform Arts at UAPB

Largest Single Gift Strengthens UAPB’s Role as a Cultural Anchor for Arkansas and Beyond

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.

“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.”

“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.

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

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.

UAPB Art Department Chair Dr. Karen DeJarnette said the award marks a turning point.

“For decades, our students have created brilliance with limited space,” Dr. DeJarnette said. “This expansion will finally give their creativity the room it deserves— from upgraded studios to gallery spaces where their work can truly shine.”

“The timing of the gift reflects the Windgate Foundation’s thoughtful approach of building a strong, long-term relationship that demonstrates UAPB’s ability to deliver on past investments,” said George Cotton Sr., UAPB vice chancellor for Advancement. “UAPB has been a cultural anchor for the Delta and a leader in advancing the arts across Arkansas for decades. This generous investment from the Windgate Foundation underscores that commitment and allows us to expand opportunities for students while deepening our impact on the state and the HBCU community.”

Legacy of Achievement

The UAPB Art Department’s pioneering spirit dates to the mid-1960s, when instructor John Howard secured state funding for what was then the largest fine arts facility in Arkansas. Opened in 1967, the building, later named for Howard and Isaac Scott Hathaway, who founded UAPB’s first ceramics program, became the home of the department, with Howard serving as chair until his passing in 1980. The planned Art Tower continues this tradition of excellence while honoring the department’s rich history. The public can view artifacts and digital archives at the University Museum and Cultural Center.

Notable artist alumni include: Jeff Donaldson; a co-founder of the AfriCOBRA collective with pieces housed in institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Smithsonian American Art Museum; Joseph Norman, internationally recognized artist and educator with works held in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the High Museum of Art; Byron Vaughns, Emmy-award winning animator; and Kevin Cole, nationally recognized contemporary artist with work featured in major collections including the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.