live:projects
Impactfulandcreativeresearchand storytellingfor creativechangemakers
Supportforcommunityandcreative poweredeventsandfestivals
Impactfulandcreativeresearchand storytellingfor creativechangemakers
Supportforcommunityandcreative poweredeventsandfestivals
ChrisHayes,LeadResearchConsultant
13years+ofprojectconsultancy.Broad-crosssectorexperience acrossthecreativeandculturalsectors,youthandeducation,sport andleisure,tourismandplace,communityservices,andlocal government.MRSAdvancedCertificateinMarketandSocial Research;CPDinCivicDesignandCulturalInfrastructurewith Bartlett;SocialValueUKMember;SocialResearchAssociation Member;LocalGovernmentInformationUnitAssociate.
HudaAwan,ResearchAssociate
Hudabringsabringsawealthofexperienceinresearchand communicationsgainedthroughworkingwitharts,culture andnonprofitorganisations,mostrecentlyOpenCityDocumentaryFestival.She hasadistinctioninadvancedqualitativeandquantitativemethods throughherMSc fromUCLin2019.
Friendsand Partners
SuzieCampbell,TheFriendlyCFO/Metavalue(Strategy andFinance), SelenaBolingbroke, Sighthound Consultancy,FranGkotsi, CreativeSchools andLearning Expert,BethCrosland,CulturalPartnershipsandSocial JusticeExpert. CommonVision (Youth/YoungPeople EngagementLeadsandIntergenerationalThink Tank), The PeopleSpeak (CommunityConnectors andTalkshow hosts, UndrLndn(filmandmediacollective),Meaningful Marketing(SocialMediaandMarketingExperts),Freedom WorksUK(CommunityCoachingandLeadership),
Barbican
BeaconMuseum
BritishLibrary
CommonVision
Copeland Council
Crenamic
Creative Youth
Culture Mile
Culture Syndicates
Foundationfor Future
London
FreedomWorks UK
FriendlyCFO
MetaValueStrategy
Consultingand
Sighthound
FusionFutures
Future Makers
Goldsmiths
GreatSpeechWriters
IVE(BridgeOrganisation)
KentFoundation
LGiUInternational
LeytonstoneLovesFilm
MuseumofLondon
Oxford House
Playnice
RMResearch
SocialFixt
SoloTrvlr
The Line
The PeopleSpeak
Universityof theArts
London
Universityof EastAnglia
WandsworthArtsFringe
WomenOver 50Film
Festival
Workfinder
Weare proudto haveworked with…
Weworkwithandalongsidecreativeteamsto documentandtellthestoryofcommunity-powered eventsandfestivals,capturingthestoriesanddatato helpfestivalteamsprogrammeanddevelopthriving eventsandfestivalsthataligntoanddeliverwider socialandeconomicgoals.
Our methodsarecreativeandinvolvethetalents, practices,andresearchskillsoftheartistsand partnersinvolved,plusimpactjournalism,filmand photography.Our servicescanbetailoredtomeet theneedsofeventsandfestivalsofallshapesand sizes.
Weco-ordinatecommunity-centredresearch, listeningandstorytellingprojectstohelpour clients developadeeperunderstandingoftheirvisitorsand audiences,informingrobustaudiencedevelopment plansandstrategies.
Workingwithyouandyour teamcollaborativelyto designorrefreshyour theoryofchangeandbuildan evaluationframeworkforyour eventor festival.
Bitesizeworkshopsandtrainingfor staff,creative teamsandartistscoveringarangeoftopicsdrawing onour decadesworthofexperience:introductionto researchandevaluation;theoryofchangeand planning;researchandcreativemethods; storytelling;marketing;businessplanning;social valueandimpactmeasurement.
https://www.slideshare.net/ChrisHayes76322
Often,therichest,mostdiverse,andmostvaluable feedbackfromvisitors,audiences,andparticipants canbeheardatyour cafes,bars,ticketandbox officesandduringyoureventsandactivities.When artistsandcreativesarestretchedindelivery,oftenit isyourstaffteamandvolunteerswhoarebest placedtodocumentimpact,reactionsandidentify learning. Wehaveworkedwithteamstodesignand createsimpleandcreativelivetoolsforcapturing richobservationalandreflectionfeedback.
CheckoutourFeedbackand ObservationJournalfor VenuesandCreativeshere
Fromnarrativeandstorytellingapproachestosocial valueauditing,we areskilledathelpingour clients understandandcommunicatetheirimpactand legacyandtelltheirstoriesinmeaningfulandcosteffectivewaysbuiltondialogueandtrust.Weare skilledatco-ordinatingstorytellingprojects,training storycollectors,providingguidancefor 1:1 conversations,andworkingwithwriterstoturn conversationsintorichnarrativesthatcanbe discussedandsharedforevaluationpurposes.
We’vebeeninspiredandinfluencedbyArtsattheOld FireStation’sstorytellingmethodologyforrich person-centreddatacollection,EmmaWarren’s ‘documentyour culture’manifesto,HelenKara’swork oncreativeresearchmethods,the solutions journalismtrendintheUS,evaluationinplacemaking, alongside12+years’experienceinresearchand consulting.
WorkingwithCarolineWilsonandUndrLdn,we can offercompletecoverageofyour eventor festivalwith high-qualityfilmingandvoxpopinterviewingfor legacyandevaluation.Outputs canincludeanonline archivewithshortinterviewswithaudiencemembers andartists/creatives,alegacyvideoandshortreels forsocials. Wehavebeenworkingcloselywith Carolineandhernetwork,andshareinanambition andartisticvisiontocreatemoreauthenticfilmsthat centrethevoicesofthoseinvolved,trainandskill peopleinDIYfilmingandresearch,andweavein audiencesandcreativesownfilmingonphonesinto theendproduct.
By carefullycraftingarangeofconsultationsand provocationswithcreativeflair,our aimistoignite ideas,fosterconnection,andinspiretheimaginations ofyour audiences.Wearepassionateabout engagingpeoplethroughartisticexpression,visual storytelling,andcreativemethodsofpublic consultation.Weareinspiredbyvisualartistand researcherOrlyOrbachwhoisdedicatedtoutilizing theartsasaninspiringandinnovativewayof engagingcommunitiesandsparkingcreativity.
WeworkcloselywithThePeopleSpeakandhave foundtheirTalkaoketobeabrilliantwayofengaging peopleateventsandfestivals,bringingpeople togethertochataboutthetopicsthatmatterto them,andinformingresearchandevaluationactivity.
Talkaokeisapopup talkshowwhereanycansit downandairtheirviewsaroundthetableofchat. Talkoakeisafunandexcitingwaytohaveadebate, conversationor discussionaboutthethingsthat mattertoyou.Talkaokeisaprojectbytheartist collectiveThePeopleSpeak.
www.talkaoke.com
www.thepeoplespeak.org
WandsworthArts
Fringeburstsintolife for17brilliantdays eachJune,shakingup SouthWestLondon withaneclectic programme ofarts& culturethatthrills, movesandinspires audiencesfrom acrossthecity..
Since2010,WAFhasbrought togetherhundredsof creativesinaboldand boundary-pushingannual line-upofcutting-edge theatreandcomedy, exquisitemusicconcerts,art exhibitions,experimental performanceart,outdoor art extravaganzas,and everythinginbetween, takingplaceacrossthe borough.:
Wearedelightedtobe workingwiththeinspiringWAF team,helpingtotellthestory ofthisyear’sFringe,and providingcomprehensive researchandevaluation support.Respondingtothe brieftoprovidecapacityand
skillssharingtoartistsand creativesinevaluation,aswell asextrafeetontheground duringthefringe,our research andevaluationworktodate hasincluded:
• workingcollaboratively withtheteamand partnerstodevelopan evaluationframework andtheoryofchangefor thefestival
• deliveringevaluation supportandtraining sessionstoartistsand creatives(our slidesand resourcesfromour skillssharingsessionsare availabletoviewasa toolkithere)
• co-ordinating comprehensiveaudience
researchandevaluation activityduringthefringe
• co-ordinating observationalfeedback anddatacollection
• face-to-faceaudience surveyingand interviewingatevents
• impactjournalismand voxpopswithaudiences andartists
• aTalkaokeeventin collaborationwithThe PeopleSpeaktobring peopletogetheraround thetableofchatto
discussart,culture,dance andeverythingelse,as partoftheRoyal AcademyofDance’s MagicofDance communityday(see pictureshereandfilm here)
• co-ordinatingfilmand videostorytellingin collaborationwith CarolineWilsonand UndrLdn
Wearegratefulto Huda Awanforhersupportonthis project.Collaboratingwith ThePeopleSpeakand CarolineWilsonand UndrLdnonthisprojecthas alsobeenbrilliantinbringing addedlayersofcreative
engagementand communityresearcherand coachKenHettiarachi,who hashelpedus listentolocal audiencesandcollect surveys.Our researchand insightishelpingtheWAF teamdevelopnextyear’s
whilebuildingcapacityin evaluation.Theteamand WAFcreativeshavehighly valuedthesupport.
Findoutmoreabout WandsworthFringehere: wandsworthfringe.com
LeytonstoneLoves Film(LLF)isafree community-powered programme celebrating film cultureand Leytonstone’svibrant cinemacommunity.
Weworkedcloselywiththe Barbican’sinspiring Communitiesand Neighbourhoodsteamto designandleada storytellingapproachto document,tellthestoryof, andevaluatetheimpact andlegacyofthe2021 festivalandtheevolutionof thefestivalmodel.
Thisincludedearlyreflection workshops,in-festival observationandimpact journalism,ethnography andin-festivaldata collection(feedbackfrom venuemanagers,anopen whatsappgroupfor creativesandfestival participantstosharekey moments),andanalysisof
audienceparticipationand socialvalue.Wecreateda micro-commissionandpaid workopportunityfor a youngjournalismgraduate toattendthefestival, supportingherinthe principlesof solutions/impactjournalism, anddocumentingtwohigh profileevents.
Wetrainedateamstory collectorsfromtheLLF networktohold conversationswithLLF partnerstohearabouttheir eventsandpersonal accountsofchange.These weresynthesisedintorich personalnarrativesbythe brilliantRichardBarker of RadiantCircus.
Wehelpedfacilitatea vibrantLLFpartnermeeting intheBarbicancinemato discussandappraisethe storiesbeforeproducingthe finalevaluationreportwith richstoryandnarrative analysissittingalongside impact,participation, audienceandsocialvalue data. Theworkhashelped theBarbicanmoveforward withtheirplanstocreatean LLFnetwork,hubandfundto supportyeararoundfilm
activityinLeytonstone.
“Thankyouagainfor allof your workontheLLF evaluation-it’sbeena journey andsomanypeople involved.Allofthefeedback hasbeenoverwhelmingly positive,peoplehavereally enjoyedbeingpartofit,as haveI.Ithasbeenbrilliantto collaboratewithyouonthis.”
~LaraDeffense,then Producer,Barbican Communities& NeighbourhoodsTeam.
“I’vereallylovedworkingwith you,andmassively appreciateyour calm, rigorous,thoughtful contributionstoour work andprogress.”
~Rachel Smith,thenSeniorProducer, BarbicanCommunities& NeighbourhoodsTeam
Creative Youthisa charitybasedin Kingston,London, bornoutofan ambitionto encourageand celebratethe creativityofyoung people.Thecharity enablesyoungpeople togetinvolvedin innovative, original andambitious creative projects.
AMPKingston(Art,Music and PopFashion)isCreative Youth’snewprojectto uncoverKingston’smusic heritage.AMP aimsto uncoverandtellthestoryof Kingston’srichmusic
heritagethrougha programmeofyoungperson-ledandcommunitycentredcreative interpretationsandevents (therecentlylaunchedBowie andBeyondexhibitionat
KingstonMuseumisakey highlight)tocatalyseand inspireawidervarietyofart formsandprojects.
Wearedelightedtobe workingwiththeCreative Youthteamastheir evaluationpartneronthis project,alongsideabrilliant researchanddesignteam whoareinvolvedinthe programming(JarekZaba, ZoëLouizos,JamesWard)as wellasCarolineWilsonand UndrLndnwhoarecoordinatingoneofthe legacy filmsoftheproject.
Wearealsopleasedto continueour collaboration withFranGkotsi,providing anaddedlayeroffacilitation supportaspartofour trainingoffer.
Researchandevaluation supportsofarhasincluded:
• Evaluationframework design
• Mixedmethodsaction researchtodocument andevaluatetheproject’s Upcycleshowcasefor threecreative installationsinspiredby theart,musicandpopof the60sto90s
• Audienceresearchand vox-popsatKingston
Museumtoexplorethe visitorexperienceatthe project’sBowie and Beyondexhibition
Atouringprogrammefor AMPisbeingplanned,and we lookforwardtoworking withtheteamandthe HeritageCollectivetotellthe storyofAMPandidentify legacyopportunities.
1. Bringteammembers andstakeholders togetherearlyonto shapetheevaluation frameworkandresearch questions–don’twaitfor everythingtobeinplace orworkedout.
2. Thereisnoone-sizefits-allapproach. Articulateanoverarching frameworkbutbeready todeployamixtureof methodsand tools/approachesfor datacollection.
3. Audiencesurveyingcan beaneffectiveand efficientwayof gatheringfeedbackand workswellwherethere issteadyfootfall,or peoplearemingling around.Ifeveryone leavesaneventata singlepoint,workinpairs tocollectsurveysand
considerself-complete surveysonafew clipboardsthatcanbe handedaround.Surveys arenotalwaysenjoyable forpeopletodo,sothink aboutwaystomake themfun.Keepsurveys shortandconcise.
4. Encourageartistsand creativestothinkabout whatactionstheycan takepre-event,during andaftertheireventsto capturefeedback. Often themosteffective responseratesare achievedwhenthelead artistor organiserleads ontheirevaluation activitythatdrawson theirtalentsandskillsets linkstothecreative mediumstheyuseas partoftheirworkand practice.
5. Often,therichest,most
diverse,andmost valuablefeedbackfrom visitors,audiences,and participantscanbe heardatyourcafes, bars,ticketandbox officesandduringyour eventsandactivities. Createasystemfor capturingobservational feedbackand encourageartistand teammember journaling.
6. SetupaWhatsApp channelforyour festival eventtoprovidea platformfor peopleto sharereflections, feedback,photographs andvideos.
7. Usecreativeresearch methodsandaudioand videotoengagepeople andstimulate discussionsontheir terms.
Cultivatepartnershipsand colabs.Investtime,budget andenergyinoutreachand relationshipbuilding,and goodold-fashioned communitydevelopment workoutsidetheeventor festival(ideallyongoingly year-round).Startwithyour closestfriendsandallies, weavefromtheinsideout andbranchoutfromthere. Freeteammembersupto meetandchatwithpeople ontheirtermsandsettings, havecoffeesand1:1s,attend groups,events,network, providesupport,make invitationsand asks/requests,andhelp peoplemakeconnections andjointhedotstowhatis
beingor couldbeplanned. Supportandempowerlocal leaders,producersand influencerstodothesame andensuretheyareproperly remuneratedfor theirtime. Progressmovesatthespeed oftrust. Allowspaceand timeforrelationship-building andorganicnetworkand audiencegrowth.Your marketingstrategy(where youwillwanttoblend traditionalmethodswith digital)buildsonthis relationship-based approachformaximum impact.
Groundprogrammingin joy,enjoyment,valuesand connection. Focusonjoy,
enjoyment,andthefunding, money,andticketsaleswill follow.Findoutwhat people/artists/creatives/co mmunitiesenjoy,are passionateaboutandwhat matterstothem,andcreate opportunitiesfor themtodo andshowcasethatinthe placesandspacesthat mattertothem.Don’t assumewhatthosethings are,andbepreparedfora periodofresearchand conversationtofindthatout, orsmallR&Dgrantsand projectstohelpthemfind thatoutandtestout themselves.Digdeepto explorewhatnichesand interestsmattertowho.
Craftuniquemomentsand experiencesthatbring peopletogetherfrom differentages,gendersand sexualities,ethnicities, faiths,andcommunities. Nurture andfacilitate authentic,niche,handcraftedmomentsand experiencesforspecific audiences,communitiesand affinitygroups.Thinkabout your programmeasa networkofhand-crafted lanternscomingtogetherto shinebrightlyratherthana singleshinyspectacular chandelier.Prioritisethe nicheandhand-crafted overspectacleandmass participation,thoughthe sweetpointisinbetween andachievingabalance (andartistsandcreatives valuebeingpartof somethingbigger).Develop anengagingprogramof eventsthatofferssomething foreveryone.Hostpre-or post-eventactivitiessuchas workshops,panel discussionsandQ&A sessionstofurther engage newaudiences.Prioritise weavingtogethersmall unique experiences,each withtheirownentrypoints andpersonalised,handcraftedinvitationsto
audiencesandinterest groups.Creativeideascan beexpressedand experiencedinmultiple mediums,placesand settings
Buildandfosterastrong creativenetworkof partners,colleagues,and creativesandcreate platformsforexchanging skills,experiences,and learning. Createsocialandlearning timeoutsideofeventsto buildrelationshipsand further theexchangeof knowledge.Createspaces andplatformsforpeopleto exploretheircreativity, experiment,beboldand stretchthemselves.
Takeaprideandplacebasedapproach.Create experienceswithasenseof belonging,connectedness tohomeandlocality. Buildrelationshipswithlocal communityvenues,parks andopenspaces,shops, libraries,pubs,and communityandfaith settingsfor aplace-based approach.Support local venuesandbusinessesto fosteralegacy.Cultivate prideinthecommunityby
takingownershipofshared spaces.Alignactivitywith communityandstreet events,markets,androad closures.
Offerentrypointsforevery artist/creative.Celebrate andshowcaseemerging creatives’work, helpingthem establishthemselvesand creatingspacesfor partnershipand collaboration.Create opportunitiesfor more experiencedartistsand creativestosupportearlystagersincreatingarich learningandcareer developmentsupport network.Create opportunitiesfor artistsand creativestodevelopnew skillsinawiderangeof specialisms,fromproduction tomarketingand research/evaluation.Focus onnetworking,collaboration, research,storytelling,and othersoftskillstoboost employability.Thinkandplan beyondthefestival–lookfor waystokeepthecreative momentumgoing throughoutthecommunity.
Support,enableand empower,butfindwaysto takethepressureoffpeople toproduceanoutput,help themtorelaxandenjoytheir work.CreateR&D opportunitiesfor artists/creativestotestout ideasintherun-uptoyour event/festivalwithoutthe pressuretoproduce something. Giveequalenergytoboth theinnerandtheouter purposeoftheeventor festival.Ensurethesocial andfringeelementsreceive thesameenergyasthe headlineactivities.Builda senseofcommunityby creatingopportunitiesfor socialisingandinclude informalinteractive elementsbetweenevents andactivities,suchastalks, Q&Asandnetworking,to fosterdeeperconnections andcreatemeaningful experiences.Culture isa powerfulentrypointto conversationanddialogue inthecommunity.Harness your eventsandactivitiesto openupconversationsand createopeningsfor conversation,dialogueand
empathyinthecommunity aboutsocialjusticeissues andcausesimportantto localaudiences. Createopportunitiesfor peopletodiscoverand stumbleacrossartand cultureinunexpected placesnotnecessarily immediatelylinkedtoyour eventor festival. Developacomprehensive marketingstrategyto promoteyourfestivalor fringeevent.Incorporatea blendoftraditional marketingtacticssuchas word-of-mouth,advertising, PRandpartnerships,aswell asdigitalmarketingtactics, includingsocialmedia,email campaignsandinfluencer marketing.Partnerwithother localfestivals,eventsand activitiestocross-promote andreachnewaudiences. Upskillpartners,artistsand creativesinmarketingskills andsupportthemtomake personalisedinvitationsto theircommunitiesand networks.
TheBarbican’s inspiring Communitiesand Neighbourhoods Teamnurtures relationshipswiththe artsvenue’slocal communitiesto improveeveryone’s accesstothearts.
CreativeNeighbourhoodsis theteam’sworkwiththe Barbican’sneighbours, ensuringtheartsvenue playsanactiverolein helpingthediverseecologies ofculture andcreativity aroundus tothrive.The
team’sworkintheCityof LondonincludesTheImagine Fund,acommunitygrantmaking&supportinwhich decisionsaboutfundingare madebythecommunity themselves,andenabling theCommunityImpact
Collective,acollectiveof leadersworkingwith communitiesintheCityof London,dedicatedto strengtheningand advocatingforvalues-led communityworkinthelocal area.
Theteam’sCommunitiesIn Residenceprogrammesees theteamworkingwithlocal creativeorganisationsand supportingthemtohost workshopsandactivitiesfor theirmembersand communitiesinthe Barbican’sspacesand facilitiesandlearning togetherhowtomakethe spacesmorewelcomingfor everyone.Current collaboratorsand communitiesinresidence include:HeadwayEast London,WeAreParable, Accumulate,Phosphoros Theatre,FlourishingLives, andBabesinDevelopment.
Wehavebeenworking closelywiththeteamtohelp evaluateandtellthestoryof theirworkwithlocal communitiesduring,though andafterthepandemic, includingthedistributionof creativeresourcesand activitypackstolocal residentsandfamilies(Play andImaginePacks)andthe developmentoftheImagine Fund,toseedcreative projectsandcausesledby localresidents.
Researchactivitieshave included:
• Overseeingparticipatory, community-led storytellingapproaches involvingtherecruitment andtrainingoflocalstory collectors
• Communityreflection sessionsandsurveys
• Depthinterviewsand conversationswithstaff members
• Facilitatinginternaland external‘storydiscussion days’
• Storyandnarrative analysis, leadingto storytellingreportsand newtheoriesofchange.
Wealsosupportedaparallel evaluationofthe LeytonstoneLovesFilm Festival(seecasestudy here)usingacreativeand community-ledstorytelling approachinvolvingLLF filmmakers,exhibitorsand creatives
Wehaveprovidedongoing supporttotheteam,helping tobuildcapacityin participatorystorytelling,
andco-ordinatingtheir evaluationsofthe
CommunityImpact Collectiveandthelatest iterationsofthe Imagine Fund,thistimefocusingon listeningtotheexperiences andperspectivesofthe grant’spanelmembers.The workhashelpedtheteam developthenextiterationsof theCICandImagineFund, buildcapacityintheteam, andgrowanetworkof trainedartists,creativesand communitymemberswith skillsinstorytelling.
Morerecently,we havebeen pleasedtoworkwith HeadwayEastLondonto deliverskillstrainingin interviewingandstory collecting,toenableastoryledevaluationofdifferently various,Headwayandthe Barbican’sbrilliant, multifacetedexhibitionand publicprogrammeinthe Curve,whichshared perspectivesandopen conversationsaboutbrain injury.
Foundationfor FutureLondonisan independent charityestablished in2015createdto connect communities,the newEastBankand itsglobally renownedarts, innovationand culturalpartners.
FFL’sConnectingPeople& PlacesFundwassetupto supportlocalEastLondon partnerstodeliverarts, educationandemployment programmingandcreative placemaking,partofthe FoundationsProgrammeco-
fundedbyCityofLondon.
Wehavebeenthrilledto workwithFFL’sinspiringteam andnetworktohelpFFL reportontheimpactofthe ConnectingPeopleand PlacesFund.
Researchandevaluation activitytodatehasincluded:
• Providingsupportand traininginresearchand evaluationtobuild capacityamongst grantees
• Providing1:1adviceand supporttoahandfulof granteestosupporttheir evaluationand storytellingactivity
• Overseeinga participatory, community-led storytellingapproachto exploringand documentingthe collectiveimpactofthe fundandwhatcanbe learnt
• WorkingcloselywithFran Gkotsiwhoiscoordinatingwrap-around support,adviceand mentoringforthe granteesthroughthe‘CoLab’
• Reviewingandanalysing individualgrantee evaluationsubmissions andtriangulatingimpact andlearningacrossthe cohorts
• Producinginternaland externalimpactand learningreportsforthe funderandwiderpublicto sharelearningand impact
Thesupportishelpingto buildcapacityamongst granteesinimpactful, meaningfulandcosteffectiveevaluation practices,whilehelpingthe Foundationtotellthestoryof itsfundedprogrammesin communities,understandits impactandmake improvementstothe supportofferedtograntees.
Findoutmoreaboutthe ConnectingPeopleand PlacesFundhere:
https://future.london/grant/c onnecting-people-placesfund-collaborativecommissions-2023/
Readour evaluationimpact summaryhere:
https://future.london/wpcontent/uploads/2022/05/Co nnecting-People-PlacesEvaluation-Report2022_Report_Digital_19.04.22. pdf
FusionFuturesis a5-week programme for KeyStage5 studentsto supportyoung Londonerstofind theircreative voiceand collaboratewith otherstoshare ideasandtackle challenges.
heprogrammehelps studentsdeveloptheir communication,teamwork andproblem-solvingskills andisbasedonthreekey elements:beingawareof yourself,making connections,andimagining newideasandpossibilities.
Theprogrammeisrunby Culture MileLearningand BarbicanCreativeLearning anddeliveredbyartistsand industrypartnerswho collaboratewithteachersto designworkshops,activities andareal-worldindustry ‘challengeday’brieffor
pupilsfromlocalschoolsand colleges.
Researchandevaluation supporthasincluded:
• pre-programme conversationswiththe teamandartiststocreate atheoryofchangeand evaluationframework;
• supportwiththedesignof in-schoolobservationand datacollection;
• attendingpostprogrammegroupswith theschoolteachers, artists,andindustry partners;and
• collationofreflections andobservations.
WatchtheFusionFutures videohere:
https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=hBsBsPjdWUQ
implementevaluation frameworksforartsbased learningprojectsmainly usingqualitativemethods includingstorycollecting. He’sgreattoworkwith becausehelistens attentively,asksreally helpfulquestionstoclarify andfocusabrief,responds closelytofeedbackand produceswellstructured andclearwritten documentsandanalysis.I canhighlyrecommendhim.”
BethCrosland,thenSenior ProgrammeManager, CultureMileLearningsaid: “Chrisisagreatcollaborator andaskilfulevaluator.He’s alsostronglycommittedto socialimpactandto supportingorganisationsto understandanddeepen theirimpact.He’sworked withusbothtodevelopand
ThePattern,ledby London-basedcreative studioPlayNiceand supportedbyCulture Mile,isacultural curriculumand incubatorforfuture communityleaders, culturalproducersand aspiringcreatives from underrepresented groupsinLondon.
Weprovidedevaluationand storytellingsupporttothe Patternteamtocapturethe earlyimpactsandlearning ofthecurriculum andtwo highprofilecreativeand communityprojects,Gaia’s Garden(pictured,Photo:
FrancisAugusto) andAtthe Feetofour Mothers.This includedsocialvalueand impactauditaswellas qualitativeresearchand interviewswithyoungpeople andprojectpartners.
ACivicDesignCPD ProjectwithUCLBartlett SchoolofPlanning).
In2021/22LiveProjects’
ChrisHayesworkedas partofastudentdesign teamandwithcreatives withembedded communityworkingin LondonPaddington’s ChurchStreetestateto co-designsolutionsfor strengthened public engagement, regeneration, and creative ideasand solutionstoimprovethe publicrealm
Thisincludedacommunity auditandcommunity consultation,andworking withCivicWise’spublic realmcommunity engagementtoolkitand canvases.Our reportis
availableherewiththe caveatthatit was producedasastudent projectunder tighttime constraints.Belowisan extractofthemethodology section.
ThePeopleSpeak (TPS)isagroupof international artistsbasedin London.TPShas 25yearsof expertise in helpingpeople understandeach otherand collectively processthe world’s complexity.
Theteamcreatesfun, interactive,participatory formatsandinterventionsin theUKandabroad, articulatingcollective imagination,informingpublic decision-makingand
deepeningconnections betweendiversegroupsof people.(Picture Credit:The PeopleSpeak)
Theteamregularlyfacilitate communityconversations usingtheirflagshipformat
Talkaoke–theinteractive talkshowtogatherinsights aboutthetopicsandissues thatmattertopeople.
Wearereallypleasedto continueour collaboration withThePeopleSpeak, providingresearchand solutionsjournalism,building onrecentprojectwork. Thissummer,Southwark CreativeHealth& Wellbeing Partnership(SCHWeP) fundedTPS’sproposalto delivertwosuccessfulpublic Talkaokesessionsin Southwarktofacilitate communityconversations andhearpeople’sthoughts andreflectionsabout healthylives,community,the pandemicandvaccine hesitancy.Thesewere deliveredinpartnershipwith PeckhamPlatform,alocal creativeandeducational charity,andWalworthLiving Room,amulti-use communityspaceandcafé, tohelptheorganisations bringpeopletogetherin theirlocalcommunities.
Weprovidedanadditional layerofresearchsupportby:
• Designinganddelivering wrap-aroundresearch andevaluationactivity
• Facilitatingshortvox-pop conversationswithpeople aftertheyparticipatedin Talkaokefor deeper insightintothefunder’s questionsandtopics
• 1:1conversationswith projectpartnersto understandlearningand impact
• Evaluatingtheimpactof theeventsandpulling togetherfindings
WearegratefultoHuda Awanforproviding additionalresearchsupport tothisproject.
Talkaoke:‘What’sUp Peckham?’washeldon Saturday,17June,from 1to5 pminPeckhamSquare.See hereforthevideoandhere forthephotos.
AHealthyExchangex TalkaokewasheldonFriday, 21June,from1to5pmat WalworthLivingRoomas partoftheir‘AHealthy Exchange’event,an afternoonforpeopleto exchangeideasonhealth, wellbeingandhowto supportoneanothertoheal
asacommunity.
Throughthesessions,people connectedwithothersthey mightnotnormallymeet, discussingissuesand buildingfriendships.The PeopleSpeakhasbuiltclose andcollaborativeworking relationshipswiththeir communitypartners,helping themtobetterunderstand theissuesthatmatterto theirlocalcommunitiesand buildingtheirinterestin Talkaokefacilitationskills.
Policy research projects and support for creative policy influencers, giving a voice topeople and communities on the issues and causes that matter.
Wesupport progressive policy projects and campaigns withinsight and evidence on the issues, voices and causes that matter, gathered through primary and secondary research methods. Westand fordecision-making that isevidence-led and informed bythe lived experiences ofpeople and communities. We are passionate about localism, athriving civil society, and participatory democracy.
Our policyproductshelpyoutostayintouchwithand influencechange.Wegroundour researchin:
• What’sso(thefacts,trendsandevidence)
• What’ssaid(theissues,voicesandlived experiences)
• Whatworks(learning,bestpracticeand innovation),and
• What’snext(future possibilitiesandscenarios).
Outputs caninclude:briefings,thoughtpieces, evidencereports,consultationsubmissions, monitoringandhorizonscans,presentationsand facilitatedsessions.
Briefings:Highlightingthekeyfactsandissueswith linksandsign-posting.
Rapidanddepthreviews:Idealfor thosewhoneedto explorepolicyissuesinmoredepth.Anoutput may include:literaturereview;reviewandsummaryofkey informationsources;casestudiesandbestpractice; analysisandcomment;andpolicy recommendations.
GreenandWhitePapers:Bespokeresearchand/or optionsappraisalstodeveloppolicyideasand recommendations.
Wecancarryout bespokeprimaryorsecondary researchandanalysisorworkwithyoutoprovide further support.Thismightinclude:policyoptions appraisals,facilitatedsessions,workshops,focus groupsorround-tablediscussions.