about

The Department of Education and the Arts provides statewide leadership and innovation, enhancing arts and minds throughout West Virginia. Composed of five agencies and a number of special programs originating from the Cabinet Secretary’s Office, the Department seeks to reinforce the rich heritage of culture, education and artistic creation in West Virginia. Education and the Arts celebrates the resilience of the “Mountain Character” through public broadcasting, libraries, rehabilitation, professional development, community volunteerism and culture and history.

The Department of Education and the Arts represents the spirit of West Virginia. Programs by the Division of Culture and History enhance the artistic lives of our citizens, while preserving the artifacts and documents that authenticate our past. The department assists the disabled to seek better lives through the Division of Rehabilitation Services, provides professionals with educational tools to further their expertise with the Center for Professional Development and promotes volunteerism in our communities through The West Virginia Commission on National and Community Service. The department seeks to maintain public access to manuscript and electronic volumes of literature and information through the West Virginia Library Commission and brings the best in public radio and television programming via the Educational Broadcasting Authority to educate, entertain and enlighten. The Department of Education and the Arts is part of the executive branch that provides Governor Joe Manchin with support to bring progress to the State of West Virginia. Serving on Governor Joe Manchin’s Cabinet, Secretary Kay Goodwin provides counsel to the executive officers and legislative members on issues concerning the diverse character of education and the arts.

The spirit of education and the arts is enhanced with special programs like Imagination Library, Governor’s Schools, WVPASS,the PROMISE Scholarship program, West Virginia’s Promise, and the Governor's Commission on International Education and Governor’s Internship Program.