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Not so long ago, touch was easy and safe—then everything changed. We come from the most intimate possible space, the womb, into a caregiver’s arms. A human embrace is possibly the most symbolic image of love, care, and hope for the future. The COVID-19 winter has brought death and another casualty—the loss of touch. When we lose this form of connection, do we lose compassion and even our own humanity? Touch is essential. We need it to be human. Let's dream of touching again. This video includes a new film by Minneapolis, MN based dance company Black Label Movement and a "making of" short about the COVID bubble Black Label Movement designed with Dr. Jon Hallberg to responsibly allow masks to be removed and physical contact to take place during the filming process.  Black Label Movement is a Minneapolis, MN based dance company that makes wildly physical, naturally virtuosic, intellectually and emotionally engaging movement driven art and embodied activities that examine and engage the human condition to inspire vivid lives. We are committed to unexpected collaborations with unusual partners, in particular our ongoing collaborations with biomedical engineer David Odde through our Moving Cell Project.

Publication Source: Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy Videos of Italians singing from their balconies have drawn the world's attention, a spontaneous demonstration of solidarity under the pressure of quarantine induced isolation. Now, researchers Elisabetta Corvo and Walter De Caro explore the psychological benefits that fuel this collective music-making. A multifaceted coping strategy, group singing reduces loneliness, increases social cohesion, and creates an experience of emotional exchange.

This article explores the potential psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children, outlining four phases adjustment and the potential mental health issues that may arise through each. The authors explore the capacity for the arts, specifically music, to curb these negative mental impacts, pointing to music's capacity to alleviate anxiety, boost immune response, and enhance children's capacity to emotionally regulate, amongst other benefits.

Practicing Distance by Jeff Kasper is a multi-part guide for preparing for our futures together post-quarantine. Each part offers a series of short practices beginning with an introduction to the four proxemic distances: intimate, personal, social, public. What follows are guided creative exercises to engage with solo, with a partner, or a small group, in imagined physical proximity during the time of the pandemic and beyond. This guide is adapted from the ongoing development of art and design-based tools used in peer-to-peer care circles, workshops, and social spaces for queer and disabled folks, survivors and allies, from 2016-present. The project uses Edward Hall's proxemics as a creative structure to explore personal boundaries through deep listening, self care, conflict, harm prevention, and accountability. Jeff Kasper is Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Program Director at UMass Amherst where he works in the Department of Art and is a Civic Engagement & Service Learning Fellow. He develops curriculums, workshops, and interactive projects from a healing-centered lens based in disability justice and trauma support culture.

Dr. Rachel Easterwood, graduate of Manhattan School of Music and now an attending physician at New-York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, arranges live performances of music for staff and patients, transmitted in real time via cellphone.

The B4 Youth Theatre (Burning Barriers Building Bridges) has begun a webinar series Conquering COVID/Lessons from Liberia. So far, there have been two awesome sessions: one with our team of theater arts instructors who led Ebola prevention awareness efforts in 2014-15 and a second on harnessing the power of collaboration in times of crisis. Since COVID-19 requires a heightened form of social distancing, our theatre artists in Liberia have been experimenting with making short awareness videos using their phones. We will be holding a watch party to show some of their recent works in progress (pre-release) and some of their recorded work from Ebola to have a discussion on: The potential uses for these materials during this global pandemic How to address local concerns through this medium with a global audience What is ""best practices"" public health messaging and how to demonstrate making these practices actionable for communities.

UCLArts & Healing's free HOPE (Healing Online for People Everywhere) Series was created to enable our global community to build resilience through social-emotional arts during this unprecedented time. Their site features over 20 online sessions, including Guided Meditation with Live Music, Drumming for Resilience, and Art Games for Real or Virtual Connection.

TimeSlips has turned their incredible two-year project ""Wendy's Neverland"" with elders into a series of bite size creative workshops and worksheets. Now you can reimagine the story of Peter Pan at home or in care communities. Perfect for all ages! You can follow along with the videos on our website or by filling out the printable worksheets. New activities will be added weekly!