Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

DOI

10.3389/fpubh.2026.1848823

Publication Title

Frontiers in Public Health

Volume

14

Pages

1848823 (Article no.)

Abstract

COVID-19 public health restrictions disrupted in-person arts participation, increasing risks of social isolation and reduced community access. Prior research shows that many people engaged in home-based arts and cultural activities during lockdown, supporting emotional regulation, a sense of belonging, and social connection; however, little is known about how these shifts affected community arts organizations that serve artists with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD), a population disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and longstanding inequities. We examined how community-based arts organizations adapted programming for artists with IDD during the COVID-19 pandemic, including barriers and unanticipated outcomes relevant to equitable access and participation in community living. We conducted an online survey (n = 28) and semi-structured interviews (n = 25) with representatives of community-based creative organizations. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis characterized technology use and adaptation strategies, and findings were interpreted using the We-Making framework. Technology use primarily emphasized connection (96%) and access (96%), with comparatively less emphasis on inclusion (79%), visibility (63%), and creativity (45%). Four roles of technology were identified: (1) enabling social connection, (2) serving as a temporary and often suboptimal substitute for in-person engagement, (3) catalyzing innovation, and (4) driving pedagogical change. Rapid implementation created new pathways for participation while also exposing persistent access barriers and prompting reflection on equitable practice. Digital and hybrid adaptations supported continuity of engagement for some artists with IDD and created opportunities to reassess program design. These findings highlight community arts organizations as public health partners for inclusive, accessible approaches to social connection and wellbeing beyond the immediate responses to crises and recovery.

Rights

© 2026 Shirai, Thompson and Shetron.

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original authors and the copyright owners are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

Data Availability

Article states: "The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation."

ORCID

0009-0004-9921-3205 (Boulanger)

Original Publication Citation

Shirai, Y., Thompson, M., & Shetron, T. (2026). We-making through technology: Social cohesion and virtual adaptation in community arts organizations for artists with IDD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Public Health, 14, Article 1848823. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1848823

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