Service in the Times of COVID: A Virtual Challenge

Author: Arianna Bohning

As I write this in October, I feel it's a good time to reflect on the challenges our ArtistCorps service has had this semester. The move seems to lean toward "virtual", "digital", and "online" content creation and instruction. Since the schools are still closed and we cannot do any in person service...online is the way to go. But even then, we run into roadblocks. We cannot serve directly in online classrooms or interact with students live. This is very challenging when one of our core principals revolves around continued engagement.

As a result, these challenges have forced us all to get even more creative in how we can interact with students and video content is fast becoming the best way to do that. The added challenge is to find a way to make these videos engaging and informative so that those we serve get more out of it than from their usual virtual learning set-up. Sometimes they are videos that encourage movement while others encourage you to sing or tap along to a song.

I fully believe that this time we spend apart is pushing us all to grow and be creative in new ways. We must find connection across digital barriers and make sure that we are continuing to serve our community in the most effective ways possible. I also believe that when we are once again allowed to serve in person, there will be nothing more sweet and worthwhile than that.