Fort Valley State University (FVSU) announced their partnership with the Tubman African American Museum that will provide access to new and innovative educational resources to bolster the school’s curriculum and enhance the educational mission of the museum. The collaboration will include internship programs; lecture series; and special exhibits featuring student and faculty work.

“This collaborative relationship between the arts programming at the Tubman museum and the educational curriculum at FVSU will serve as a meaningful way to engage both students and the Middle Georgia community,” said Dr. Paul Jones, president of Fort Valley State University. “We look forward to the teaching and learning that will occur through this partnership as we seek to bridge the gap between students’ current perception of the surrounding community and the knowledge gained through lived experience.”

The effort will allow both institutions to align their missions as well as cultural and intellectual resources to better serve the community by providing academic development and career exploration opportunities. This will include grant-writing partnerships, philanthropic endeavors, public seminars, and student internships at the museum.  Under the partnership agreement, FVSU will also provide support to the museum’s signature events including the annual Pan African Festival of Georgia. The 25^th Annual Festival will be  held on Saturday, May 1 through Sunday, May 2 at the Macon Coliseum parking lot. An annual celebration of African cultural influences including art, film, music and food, the festival’s theme is “We are Better Together.”

“We are excited to partner with FVSU to elevate community awareness of the arts through special educational programs and events,” said Harold Young, executive director of the Tubman Museum. “Our long-standing mission of highlighting the rich history of African-American culture will be strengthened by this collaboration. And it comes at a perfect time as we prepare for our annual festival where we will celebrate being better together.”

During this year’s festival, the university will have representatives on hand from the College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology to discuss scholarship opportunities. Parents and prospective students can also learn more about admissions and financial aid available at FVSU. Festival attendees will get the chance to interact with the FVSU Mobile Information Technology Center, an 18-wheeler semi that houses a 25-station computer lab designed to teach farmers about new agricultural research, record-keeping and USDA programming. FVSU tents and mobile unit will be located at Lot #11.

To learn more about the 25^th Annual Pan African Festival including hours and guest performers, visit here.

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