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News Release

Last modified: Tuesday, February 28, 2012

What becomes of arts graduates? Help SNAAP find out by participating in annual survey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 27, 2012

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- About 120,000 college students graduate every year with a degree in the arts. Many people believe that those who have studied creative writing, visual arts, theater, design, dance or music have difficulty finding work, are disenchanted with their major field choice, and over time become bitter about their career prospects and dissatisfied with their lifestyle.

An ongoing national study of the backgrounds and careers of arts graduates is beginning to question such assumptions. Indeed, results from the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project, a collaboration between Indiana University and Vanderbilt University, indicate among other things that arts graduates have few regrets, would study the arts if they had to do it again, and are finding their way in an uncertain economy. Other revealing findings can be found at snaap.indiana.edu/snaapshot/findings_2010.cfm.

So far, more than 50,000 arts graduates from 250 educational institutions in North America have made their voices heard through the SNAAP study. Participating schools, colleges and universities are using their SNAAP data to inform curriculum development and other reform efforts, and to engage and support their alumni. The results are also relevant for responding to questions from prospective students and for accreditation self-studies and assessment.

Registration is now open for postsecondary institutions and arts high schools to take part in the fall 2012 administration. More information about the annual survey and other aspects of the project can be found at snaap.indiana.edu or by contacting SNAAP at the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research at 812-856-5824 or snaap@indiana.edu.

SNAAP is supported with a leadership grant from the Surdna Foundation as well as generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts, Houston Endowment, Barr Foundation, Cleveland Foundation and the Educational Foundation of America.

The Strategic National Arts Alumni Project is based at the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research, School of Education, 1900 E. 10th St., Bloomington, IN 47406-7512. More information is available at snaap.indiana.edu, including an interactive SnaapShot based on 2010 findings.

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