Creative arts and adults with intellectual impairments : professional artists' perspectives

Abstract

Community-based services or programmes enable individuals with intellectual impairments to engage in social activities and become active participants within their culture and society. It is recognised that, participation in community creative arts programmes including dance, music and theatre sessions have a positive effect on developing and supporting skills of adults with intellectual impairments (Lige, 2011; Shafir et al., 2020). However, adults with intellectual impairments are often not provided with enough opportunities to participate in leisure or serious leisure activities particularly those relating to creative arts. This research study aimed to explore the perspectives of professional artists working with adults having intellectual impairments, and their participation in weekly dance, music, and theatre sessions. A total of five participants representing all the three genres were interviewed in the process. A sample of semi-structured interview questions was prepared. Participants were asked 14 open-ended questions, and interviews lasted around two hours. Following review of data from the interviews, thematic analysis yielded various common themes. A focus group with the participants was then organised to gain more insight on the findings and add trustworthiness and credibility to the research. Findings showed that most of the participants felt that their members’ participation in weekly creative arts sessions and end of term performances is beneficial and skills attained can carry over in their lives and influence other occupations. However, various common barriers often presented by society and culture were highlighted. The conclusions from this research indicate that while professional artists feel that their members with intellectual impairments stand to benefit from creative arts sessions and participating in performances, opportunities for diversity and inclusion within the local scene leave much to be desired. Further research could provide practical solutions for change within the Maltese islands.