Far Apart UK: Looking beyond lockdown to understand how UK arts organisations can continue to support young people's wellbeing during COVID-19

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Extensive evidence confirms the positive impact of the arts on the mental health, wellbeing, capabilities and agency of young people, particularly those affected by multiple stress factors(including structural exclusions caused by poverty, race, religion, gender and sexuality, cognitive and physical ability). Participatory arts programmes promote positive mental health alongside supporting young people to learn and practice their rights and responsibilities as they become critical citizens. Research shows that pandemics can trigger mental distress (including depression and anxiety) particularly in young people. The COVID-19 pandemic has created an urgent problem for young people, especially those made more vulnerable by intersecting challenges such as poor mental health, low educational achievement and social exclusion (including racism). The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting social distancing measures forced arts organisations to move their activities online, changing the ways in which they support vulnerable young people. This study investigates how arts organisations continue to re-invent their programmes to support young people during the pandemic, examining the impact of these changes on arts workers and how young people are experiencing this new way of connecting with their peers and communities.Research questions:1. What are the consequences of lockdown and social distancing measures on how arts organisations support the development of young people (18-25)?2. What are the critical challenges arts organisations are facing in transitioning from physical to digital and other social distancing measures? What can they learn from this experience?3. How are young people coping with the emergency situation and what role can the arts play in building resilience?