Sense of Belonging Experiences of Arts and Design Alumni

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Sense of Belonging Experiences of Arts and Design Alumni
Language: English
Authors: Christian M. Folk, Angie Miller, Nathan D. Martin, University of Texas at Austin, Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP)
Source: Strategic National Arts Alumni Project. 2026.
Availability: Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAPP), Arts + Design Alumni Research at UT Austin, College of Fine Arts. 2301 Trinity Street, Austin, TX 78712. Tel: 512-471-9695; e-mail: info@snaaparts.org; Web site: https://snaaparts.org
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 26
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Sense of Belonging, Art Education, Design, Higher Education, Alumni, Student Experience, Peer Relationship, Accessibility (for Disabled), Diversity, Undergraduate Students
Abstract: A sense of belonging, the feeling of being accepted, supported, and valued within an academic environment, is a powerful predictor of persistence, creative identity, and long-term success in higher education. Within arts and design education, belonging is uniquely intertwined with artistic identity, critique culture, and inclusivity. Drawing on the 2022 Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP) survey, this first of two reports examines how respect, value, and accessibility shape alumni perceptions of belonging across creative disciplines. This national analysis of over 20,000 arts alumni represents one of the largest quantitative studies to date of belonging in arts and design higher education. It explores how identity, institutional context, and learning environments influence alumni experiences, providing evidence to guide inclusive pedagogical and policy practices.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED680475
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:A sense of belonging, the feeling of being accepted, supported, and valued within an academic environment, is a powerful predictor of persistence, creative identity, and long-term success in higher education. Within arts and design education, belonging is uniquely intertwined with artistic identity, critique culture, and inclusivity. Drawing on the 2022 Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP) survey, this first of two reports examines how respect, value, and accessibility shape alumni perceptions of belonging across creative disciplines. This national analysis of over 20,000 arts alumni represents one of the largest quantitative studies to date of belonging in arts and design higher education. It explores how identity, institutional context, and learning environments influence alumni experiences, providing evidence to guide inclusive pedagogical and policy practices.