Can Creative Art Activities Contribute to Social Emotional Communication in Online Groups during the COVID 19 Pandemic?

Abstract

In this paper, the authors review a single session in which a small group of participants from different countries within the Asian Pacific region used creative arts improvisation to develop collaborative expression of their subjective experiences during the COVID health crisis. During this review, the authors consider if meaningful communication could develop among the participants and how such exchanges might be expanded to contribute to communities and within an international context. The group was conducted online, and the members were from Guam, China and another woman from India currently studying in New Zealand. The improvisational expressions consisted of dance, vocal music, art, poetry, and fairy tale making followed by discussion. The general themes from this collection of images that emerged from the improvisations ranged from disconnection to positive connection towards each other and a renewal of hope. These developments occurred online and among people from different countries. Some of these participants did not know each other prior to the meeting and others did not share a primary language. The authors use this review to suggest some potential guidelines that might apply to other projects that address community responses to the current pandemic and possible cross-cultural connections during times of crisis.