This April, 14 students from Miami University’s Policy & Advocacy in the Arts course stepped out of the classroom and into the civic arena, presenting original research to the Public Arts Commission of Oxford (PACO) and the Oxford City Council. The presentations highlighted the profound impact of public art on community well-being, specifically focusing on human outcomes like empathy, a sense of belonging, and critical reflection.

Spearheaded by Youngaah Koh, Ph.D. of the Institute for Innovation in Arts & Design, the initiative was intentionally designed to immerse students in real-world, project-based learning and civic engagement. To bring this project to life, Dr. Koh partnered with Angela Meleca of Meleca Creative Advisors, who provided the specialized survey tools that formed the foundation of the research. The two have collaborated on experiential arts advocacy learning initiatives for several years, including hosting arts advocacy trips to Columbus as part of this course previously.

Rather than just studying arts policy and advocacy in theory, the students were actively involved in every phase of the study. From designing the initial survey to collecting and analyzing the data, and finally delivering their findings through formal civic presentations, the class gained comprehensive, firsthand experience in actionable and strategic arts advocacy.

“I believe students engaging with experiential, civic engagement opportunities for arts advocacy is invaluable for them to understand the potential of their agency as active community advocates,” Dr. Koh said.

The students' research drew on a public survey conducted from March to April, which gathered 177 responses from the Oxford community. Their findings demonstrated that residents view public art not just as aesthetic decoration, but as vital "civic infrastructure" that strengthens community connection through shared experiences.

“Presenting to the Oxford City Council as well as the Public Arts Commission of Oxford helped our class and myself understand how we can truly make a difference here in Oxford, a place we universally want to see grow and be the best it can be. As art students, we know the value and impact the arts can have on people and communities, but we wanted to show that through research and data. This project taught us that the arts can be backed academically just like healthcare, education, and business. The days of the arts being put last due to economic concerns or skepticism are over,” Skylar Stapleton, a senior who participated in the project, said.

The presentations were met with overwhelmingly positive responses from local legislators and PACO members. The students' data sparked meaningful conversations about the future of Oxford's cultural landscape, with community feedback pointing toward a desire to make public art a more inclusive process and create art that sparks civic conversation.

Because of the project's resounding success and the strong relationship built between the class and local government, there are currently discussions underway to establish a student PACO liaison or member position to coordinate future partnerships. This potential new role will ensure that the advocacy efforts of the CCA 308 students will continue the momentum for Oxford’s public art initiatives.