Creativity & Community in Immigrant Lives

adult woman dancing in colorful dress at public park

Problem

Arts organizations want to better understand immigrant young adults, a group often overlooked in cultural research and engagement efforts.

Massachusetts has a significant immigrant population, with immigrants making up almost a fifth of the state’s population and a large portion of its labor force. Regional community foundations supporting the arts in Massachusetts approached the Barr Foundation with a shared concern: that their local arts ecosystems around the state were not fully connecting with immigrant communities, especially young adults embarking on careers and major life decisions. These regional and local funders felt that arts organizations would be better able to serve and engage their multicultural, multilingual communities by taking time to more deeply understand young adult immigrants’ values, needs, and aspirations.

Solution

Slover Linett at NORC conducted in-depth, culturally sensitive research to explore creativity, identity, and arts engagement among immigrant young adults.

Working in close consultation with community advisors from around Massachusetts, our research team conducted a qualitative study to explore the creative lives of first- and second-generation immigrant young adults living in the state. We interviewed individuals ages 18-39 from a wide range of racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, including participants from Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The sample intentionally excluded individuals from European backgrounds to center the experiences of immigrants of color, who are often underrepresented in cultural research.

The process involved 35 in-depth, 90-minute interviews, many of which were co-led by immigrant young adult co-researchers based in Massachusetts. This collaborative approach ensured cultural relevance and helped build trust with participants. The interviews explored how creativity and self-expression support identity, wellness, and belonging, and how arts organizations can better engage immigrant communities. The research also examined perceptions of traditional and contemporary art forms, the role of community in creative practice, and the accessibility of area arts ecosystems.

Result

Immigrant young adults spoke of creativity as vital to their identity, wellness, and community—and how it could be a more powerful opportunity for arts engagement.

Our report from this study, Creativity, Self-Expression and the Arts: Perspectives of First and Second Generation Young Adult Immigrants in Massachusetts, reveals how creativity plays a central role in the lives of the people we spoke with. Participants described creative expression as a vital tool for self-understanding, emotional wellness, and building community. While most did not identify as “artists,” they engaged in a wide range of creative practices—from cooking and storytelling to music, dance, and design. These practices helped them navigate identity, connect across cultures, and foster belonging. Participants also shared how arts and culture organizations in Massachusetts can support immigrant communities by offering consistent, welcoming spaces that reflect and celebrate diverse experiences.

By centering lived experiences and co-creating knowledge with community members, the study contributes to a more inclusive understanding of cultural participation and the role of the arts in community vitality. The findings offer actionable insights for arts organizations and funders in New England and across the United States seeking to deepen engagement with immigrant audiences and build more inclusive, responsive, and meaningful arts and culture spaces.