The nation’s strongest historically black fine arts program just tightened its vice grip on the arts/academic community, as Alabama State University last week announced a new bachelor’s degree program in dance

Unlike a Bachelor of Arts degree, which involves a broad liberal arts curriculum, the BFA is a professional degree program which places a more intensive focus on the study of fine arts.

“It is very exciting to be able to offer our new degree program in dance,” said Dr. Tommie H. Stewart, dean of ASU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. “It will give credentials to our students who want to pursue professional careers in dance.”

Alabama State, under the guide of acclaimed actor and professor of theater Dr. Tonea Stewart, has sent a significant number of its fine arts graduates to noteworthy careers in stage and cinema acting. Dr. Stewart, along with two alumnae, recently appeared on HBCU Digest Radio to discuss the program.

There are many HBCU academic treasures throughout the nation, with the lion’s share of those in the S.T.E.M. fields commanding much of the attention and the funding from federal sources. But if there’s ever a debate about the best liberal or fine arts program to study at an HBCU, it would be hard to argue against the program sending more black male actors to graduate school than any other fine arts program in the nation.

Alabama State University Dr. Tonea Stewart