The University of North Carolina School of the Arts has received a gift of $2.28 million to expand its Posse Arts Scholarship Program.
UNCSA is one of three colleges and universities that have partnered with the Posse Foundation, which was established to recruit and support students who may miss out on traditional opportunities to attend postsecondary institutions. Many come from historically underrepresented communities. Cohorts of students, or “Arts Posses,” receive full-tuition scholarships and other measures of support.
UNCSA welcomed its first cohort of six students last year, with nine expected to attend in 2023, all from different cities around the country.
The recent pledge from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust ensures the program can continue for the next three academic years.
UNCSA Chancellor Brian Cole says the Posse Arts Program touches on some of the school’s most important strategic goals.
"Diversity is such an amazing value add to our art industry. The ability to have so many voices in the conversation, the ability to tell so many different kinds of stories — that is all predicated on bringing all the possible talented people to our campus to be a part of that process," says Cole.
Cole says he’s confident the Posse Arts Scholarship Program can eventually be endowed permanently.