Friendships were an important factor to identity affirmation for some participants in this study. Artists described having admiration for their friends with intellectual disabilities and transferring that positive association into their own intellectual disability identities. This finding illustrate how identifying with others within a marginalized group can protect individuals from negative stigma and self-identity.

Friendships and Identity Affirmation

All performing artists said that intellectual disability was a good part of their identity. Some of the visual artists did not think it was a good part of their identity.
Making art helped artists feel confident, make friends, and show what they could do.
 This means art can be connected to a positive identity for people with intellectual disabilities.

Overall Benefits of Making Art

It is plausible that the division in participant reactions to the label “intellectual disability” is related both to the type of art created and the environment in which this art was made. The different groups of artists were exposed to different opinions on intellectual disability that they adopted into their personal perspective. 

University of North Texas

Notable differences between performing artists and visual artists emerged, with performing artists claiming an intellectual disability identity more readily. Themes connected to identity and art practice also arose, suggesting art practices can promote disability identity affirmation. Among participants, professional art practice was discussed in relation to strong friendships, opportunities to educate others and/or demonstrate capabilities, as well as a facilitator of confidence and independence.

Performing Artists vs. Visual Artists in the Study

Stober, K., & García Iriarte, E. (2023). Intellectual disability, art and identity: a qualitative exploration of the experiences of professional artists with intellectual disabilities. Disability & Society, 38(10), 1871–1894. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2022.2045187

Intellectual disability, art and identity: a qualitative exploration of the experiences of professional artists with intellectual disabilities

Among these performing artists who did affirm an intellectual disability identity, most did so in a moderate capacity. Grace explained that being an actor made her “feel happy in [herself]”. Connor expressed his pride, by pronouncing himself “famous” due to his role in a film. However, Molly was an outlier in her enthusiastic affirmation because she professed a high level of passion and pride regarding intellectual disability. 

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