Black Perspectives on Creativity, Trustworthiness, Welcome and Well-Being: A Qualitative Study

This report offers insights from conversations with Black and African American adults around the U.S., as part of our pandemic-era national research collaboration, Culture + Community in a Time of Transformation: A Special Edition of Culture Track. Interviews were conducted by Melody Buyukozer Dawkins, PhD of Slover Linett and by Ciara Knight, an independent researcher specializing in equitable evaluation methods, with support from Slover Linett team members Tanya Treptow, PhD and Camila Guerrero. This qualitative phase of the national research collaboration was made possible by lead funding from the Barr Foundation and Wallace Foundation and with critical early input from eight advisors at community-connected organizations.

The participants generously shared stories and reflections about how cultural activities, creativity and expression, and self-care can contribute to connection and well-being (see diagram). The co-authors have synthesized those rich insights and offered reflections and strategic provocations that can inform practice, funding, and policy across the arts and culture field.

View and download “A Place to Be Heard, A Space to Feel Held: Black Perspectives on Creativity, Trustworthiness, Welcome, and Well-Being—Findings from a Qualitative Study” and please be in touch with your thoughts and feedback.