Author: American Theatre Association

Publication Year: 1977

Media Type: Report

Summary:

Report of a three day seminar prepared by the American Theatre Association held at Airlie House, Virginia, March 13-15, 1978 on various techniques for evaluating arts education programs, illustrated by case studies of specific projects. Included were responsive evaluation; eclectic evaluation with case studies of the Aesthetic Eye Project and the Jefferson County Arts-in-Education Program; a review of evaluation practice in the field; and a review of the Alliance for Arts Education regional evaluation task forces.

Abstract:

Report of a three day seminar prepared by the American Theatre Association held at Airlie House, Virginia, March 13-15, 1978 on various techniques for evaluating arts education programs, illustrated by case studies of specific projects. Included were responsive evaluation; eclectic evaluation with case studies of the Aesthetic Eye Project and the Jefferson County Arts-in-Education Program; a review of evaluation practice in the field; and a review of the Alliance for Arts Education regional evaluation task forces.

Background:
The demand for evaluation of arts projects has grown in the past ten years. Since arts evaluation is still in its infancy, few state and regional arts practitioners and leaders know very much about its function and methods. What is appropriate, useful, manageable and cost-effective for arts-in-education projects is critically important to the growth and development of new programs. Therefore, there is a need for: 1) knowledge of methods available for evaluation of arts projects and 2) dissemination of the information to project administrators and directors in the field.

Proposal:
A three day seminar was proposed on arts evaluation techniques. This seminar was presented by four nationally recognized evaluation experts to regional representatives of the Alliance for Arts Education (AAE), plus key staff officers of national arts education associations headquartered in the greater Washington area. A select group of participant/observers from arts-related organizations was also invited to attend. Seminarians and participant/observers were presented an analysis of evaluation techniques appropriate to arts education projects. Through detailed examination of the Responsive Evaluation method and interaction with the evaluation staff, seminarians and participant/observers were able to focus on potential problems inherent in the evaluation of arts education projects. They were then asked to apply their knowledge to specific evaluation problems within the four AAE regions and to develop project outlines for arts evaluation in each region. (p. 1)

CONTENTS
Part I. Seminar concept. 

Background. 
Proposal.
Program. 
Personnel.

Part II. Seminar introduction. 

Charge to the seminar. 
Responsive evaluation. 
Key issues in discussion.

Part III. Eclectic evaluation. 

The aesthetic eye project. 
Jefferson County arts-in-education program. 
Key issues in discussion.

Part IV. Practice in the field. 

Three case studies in evaluation. 
Key issues in discussion. 
Client/Evaluator relationship. 
Key issues in discussion.

Part V. Alliance for arts education regional evaluation task forces. 

Strategy. 
Purpose. 
Recommendations by the staff.

Part VI. Regional AAE evaluation proposal. 

Strategy. 
Purpose.

Part VII. Summary of statements on seminar issues.

Background.
Recommendations.

Appendix:
     A. List of seminarians and participant/observers.
     B. The case study method in social inquiry.
     C. Prominent events in responsive evaluation.
     D. AAE Regional evaluation task force project outlines.
     E. Recommendations by Seminarians.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Arts Education