RETRACTED ARTICLE: The multifaceted impacts of public art on higher education: from environmental consciousness to academic outcomes

In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, the visual and practical elements of university grounds are pivotal in molding the complete student journey. This study explores the transformative power of public art in enhancing environmental design on college campuses. Employing a questionnaire survey as the primary data collection method, the research gathered demographic information and investigated participants’ perceptions and experiences related to public art’s role in shaping the campus environment. The data for this study were collected through structured questionnaires from a sample of 250 students across five universities in China, with a mean age of 21.4 years and a standard deviation of 2 years. Utilizing SPSS software for data analysis, the study identified several key findings. The study establishes a favorable link between the existence of public art on college campuses and students’ sense of place and identity. The research demonstrates a positive correlation between public art on college campuses and heightened community engagement and social interaction among students. The study reveals a constructive correlation between the availability of public art on campuses and increased inclusivity and accessibility for students of diverse backgrounds and abilities. The novelty of the study lies in its comprehensive examination of the multifaceted impacts of public art on college campuses, encompassing its influence on identity formation, community dynamics, environmental consciousness, inclusivity, and academic outcomes. The research suggests that exposure to art can have positive effects on cognitive function, creativity, and overall well-being.