Reasoning & Evidence
Social infrastructure is the network of places, organizations, and spaces that bring people together and help communities thrive – including public institutions like libraries, schools, and parks; community groups and faith organizations; and everyday gathering and leisure spots like cafes and shared outdoor spaces.(63–64) Arts, culture, and leisure function as complementary pathways through which social infrastructure supports connection and shared experience. In a study examining community art-making in group and community settings, participants reported reduced loneliness and increased social cohesion through shared creative expression, fostering recognition and a sense of shared identity.(65) Similarly, research exploring community theater and music programs demonstrates how participatory arts experiences can function as gathering spaces where people connect through shared creative activity and can contribute to fostering belonging and reducing isolation.(66–68) One qualitative case study following a long-running community music program found that weekly gatherings in a central public park created an inclusive, healing space where community members across socioecological levels participated alongside residents and musicians, reporting stronger bonds, increased social connection, strengthened community ties, and greater feelings of joy.(69)
Public cultural spaces, festivals, and shared rituals can further strengthen social infrastructure by fostering collective identity and social bonding across diverse communities.(76) These benefits extend across the lifespan. Research on museum and cultural programs for older adults shows they foster social interaction and memory sharing, while regular engagement with museums, performances, and community cultural events is associated with reduced loneliness.(70–72) Creative aging research further indicates that sustained participation in arts and cultural activities supports emotional well-being and social connection among older adults. (73) Emerging research suggests these benefits begin early in life. Arts programs, cultural activities, and opportunities for youth and older adults to create and share together can build belonging, strengthen emotional support, and reduce loneliness while fostering meaningful connections across generations.(75) Arts experiences appear to be more consistently associated with positive outcomes when embedded in accessible community settings and integrated into everyday life.(74) Community cultural assets and social prescribing approaches further strengthen social infrastructure by connecting residents to local arts opportunities and reinforcing social support and belonging.(74)
In addition to in-person experiences, digital and online cultural engagement can extend access to arts participation and provide social and emotional benefits, particularly when physical access is limited. A systematic review examining video gaming during the COVID-19 pandemic found that online multiplayer games can support social connection when used for social interaction and shared play; however, excessive or escape-motivated use may increase
loneliness, underscoring the importance of balanced, socially oriented digital engagement.(78) Leisure represents another critical pathway through which social infrastructure supports connection and belonging. Active and socially oriented leisure activities–including sports, cultural participation, volunteering, hobbies, and group recreation–contribute to social integration and belonging by creating recurring opportunities for interaction and relationship-building.
Leisure settings such as community centers and neighborhood gathering spaces can foster belonging, social support, and a sense of community identity, particularly as people age.(79–80) Research on community recreation and social connection emphasizes that belonging develops not simply through participation, but through opportunities to build relationships through shared experiences and everyday interaction.(81–82) Among children and adolescents, structured leisure participation plays an important protective role. Participation in sports and physical activity is associated with lower levels of loneliness, while declining participation and inactivity increase the risk of loneliness over time.(83–84) Leisure activities support social bonding, emotional support, and community connection across adulthood and later in life. Group and team-based activities have been found to foster belonging and social networks, while neighborhood-based practices, including walking groups and shared outdoor activities, increase social ties.(85–86) While team-based sports can strengthen belonging and social support, highly competitive structures may limit these benefits for some participants, highlighting the importance of inclusive and supportive environments.(85) Longitudinal research among older adults in China found that participation in culturally rooted leisure activities was associated with lower levels of persistent loneliness and highlighted the protective role of routine and shared pastimes.(87) Shared outdoor practices such as gardening may also further promote purpose, connection, and community resilience.(88)
Together, these findings suggest that arts, culture, and leisure strengthen social infrastructure by creating relational environments where people gather regularly, share experiences, and develop social ties. When supported through accessible spaces, inclusive programming, and recurring opportunities for participation, these activities help cultivate familiarity, trust, and a stronger sense of community over time.
Examples of Community Implementation
International: Parkrun organizes free weekly 5k and 2k runs and walks in public parks and community spaces around the world. Local volunteers coordinate the events and welcome participants of all ages and abilities. Parkrun creates routine opportunities for neighbors to gather and build connections through shared physical activity and recurring leisure.
Mississippi, USA: Homegrown Utica, led by the Mississippi Center for Cultural Production (Sipp Culture), began as a way to bring local artists, residents, and community partners to address food access and community well-being through arts and cultural activities. It continues as part of Sipp Culture’s ongoing work to connect arts, food systems, and community life through markets, gardens, and plans for a Main Street cultural center.
Reference: The SOCIAL Framework Report: Arts, Culture, and Leisure Sectors