A Holistic Framework for Evaluation of Arts Engagement

Smithies²,

Uppal³

et al. 2020

Evaluation

Self Cite

The cultural sector (arts, heritage and library agencies) receives increasing demands to articulate and evaluate outcomes of its work. These demands are challenging because of pervasive conceptions that the intangible nature of cultural activities makes them inherently unmeasurable, while their ‘intrinsic’ properties render them essentially valuable. This article addresses this challenge in positing a schema of measurable cultural outcomes of cultural engagement developed through literature analysis and an iterative Delphi-style stakeholder consultation. The outcomes are as follows: creativity stimulated; aesthetic enrichment experienced; knowledge, ideas or insight gained; diversity of cultural expression appreciated; and sense of belonging to cultural heritage deepened.

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Positing a schema of measurable outcomes of cultural engagement

Smithies²,

Uppal³

et al. 2020

Evaluation

Self Cite

“…The literature is also beginning to include exploration of processes by which arts programmes and therapies achieve these outcomes. Several reviews suggest that the engagement (Barraket, 2005; Goldman et al, 2016), deep immersion (Evans et al, 2016) and creativity that can result from arts engagement are potentially processes by which it impacts, as well as valued outcomes in themselves (An and Youn, 2018; Dunphy, 2015; Thompson, 2014). The significance of active engagement is evidenced in the influential theatrical practices developed by director and activist Boal in the 1970s, in which audience members are called on to actively involve themselves in improvized dramas (Wardrip-Fruin and Montfort, 2003).…”

Section: An Emerging Evidence Base For Arts Engagement In Developed Wmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Do Arts Programmes Contribute in International Development? A Systematic Review of Outcomes and Associated Processes

Ware

Progress in Development Studies

2020

Self Cite

Arts programmes are increasingly utilised to support international development initiatives, supported by a nascent professional literature. This is occurring alongside a strengthening impetus for evidence-based and outcome-focussed development. This systematic review of the literature explored outcomes evidenced in arts-based development initiatives, and processes and artforms utilised to achieve these. From an initial pool of 67, 27 articles that included outcomes supported by data were analysed. Outcomes reported included inspiration of creativity, sharing of new ideas and skills, reconnection to traditional culture, improved social connections, promotion of health messages, healing and recovery from trauma and provision of new economic opportunities.

“…Consequently, it might be expected that governments plan with consideration of the values of their communities. For organisations to achieve best outcomes for communities they serve, plans then need to be focussed on outcomes, that is, the changes that the organisation is seeking through their activities (Crossick & Kaszynska, ; Dunphy, ). When programs are directed towards outcomes, the likelihood of improvement increases: conversely, when the focus is on activity, there can be an inappropriate tendency to assume that change has occurred because the activity has (Bradley, Munger, & Hord, ).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Challenges identified with those cultural development plans in Victoria include a lack of measurable goals or targets, focus on delivery of activities and missing or under‐developed evaluation strategies (Dunphy and Yazgin, ). Evaluation of cultural activities is often undertaken only informally, with methods such as workers’ reports of events most often used and findings often undocumented (Blomkamp, ; Gilmore, ).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outcome‐focussed planning in Australian local government: How council plans and cultural development plans measure up

Uppal

2019

Aust J Public Adm

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Contemporary public policy increasingly emphasises a focus on outcomes, the difference that occurs in the lives of citizens from policy and activity of government. Other contemporary imperatives for effective planning include: recognition of the values of the community whom plans serve, direction towards goals and objectives, utilisation of evidence, articulation of theories of change that underpin planning and responsiveness to evaluation. This article reports a desk‐based research project to assess how local government planning documents meet these imperatives. Two documents are examined for 67 councils across Australia: the major strategic document, council plan or other‐named document and the cultural development plan (CDP) or other‐named document that directs staff and investment aimed at cultural enrichment of the LGA. Findings indicate that the majority of councils’ documents appeared only concordant with one or two of these planning imperatives. No plan addressed more than three. Overall, council plans and cultural development plans did not clearly indicate their responsiveness to values of their communities, nor include objectives that formed measurable steps towards goals or formally refer to the use of evidence in decision‐making. No plans included theories of change to underpin decision‐making. This analysis indicates clear areas of improvement for planning for local governance.