Measuring Impact

This book investigates the relationship developed between the researcher/evaluator and the commissioning arts and cultural producer in providing an opportunity to rethink the traditional process of reporting back on value and impact through the singular entity of funds acquittal. Using three commissioned evaluations as examples, the discussion outlines the two positions most often adopted by researchers/evaluators, external and distanced or embedded and collaborative, and will argue the merits and deficiencies of the two approaches. This text also investigates the role of the researcher/evaluator as a broker of stakeholder interests; how cultural organizations can partner in data gathering and develop a participatory approach to the research; what role the researcher/evaluator can have in the dissemination of evaluation findings and recommendations; and makes recommendations on which partnership type is more affective in a commissioned evaluation model for an arts and culture organization in the Australian landscape.

Challenges received wisdom which privileges economic impact over 'soft data' about community experience and engagement, and in doing so broadens the discussion beyond fiscal markers of impact Demonstrates how cultural value and impact can be evaluated, and rethinks the traditional process of reporting back on value Looks at the issue from a variety of angles by considering three different commissioned evaluations as examples

Autorentext

Sandra Gattenhof is Head of Drama in the Creative Industries Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Australia. She specializes in arts evaluation, drama/arts in schools and communities, postdramatic theatre and contemporary performance for children and young people. Her previous publications include Drivers of Change: Contemporary Theatre for Young People (Drama Australia, 2006) and articles in journals such as the Journal of Arts & Communities, Journal of Drama and Theatre Education in Asia, Health Promotion International and Journal of Applied Arts and Health, amongst others.

Inhalt
Introduction.- Chapter 1. Evaluation Types and Trends.- Chapter 2. The Need to Determine Value and Impact.- Chapter 3. Evaluation Within the Australian Landscape.- Chapter 4. Reframing the Position of the Evaluator.- Chapter 5. Three Approaches to Arts and Culture Evaluation.- Chapter 6. A Third Way of Evaluating and Reporting.- Conclusion.- Works Cited.- Notes.-