Outcome-Based Evaluation
A Working Model for Arts Projects

Section 1: An Introduction To Outcome-Based Evaluation (cont)

For arts organizations, assessing the results of a project can have many positive benefits. First, it helps arts organizations tell their story in ways that their general public and stakeholders can understand and appreciate. Second, arts organizations will be better positioned to request and receive funding when they can describe the benefits and impact of the proposed project. Third, when outcome-based evaluation becomes part of the organization’s management routine, their project can be better managed. Project goals are well established, they are regularly reviewed, and stakeholders are informed about the impact of funded projects.

Outcome-based evaluation is not formal research. The results of the process can identify whether a project is meeting its performance goals, but the results do not necessarily demonstrate that the outcomes achieved are the direct result of the project’s efforts. In general, the process will show that a project has contributed to the resulting change in attitude, behavior or knowledge, but it cannot be said for certain that the project is the sole factor in having the impact.

How do I know what outcomes my project will produce?
Outcomes are measurable changes or improvements in the behaviors, knowledge, skills, attitudes, life status or condition of your target audience. You need to consider what benefit you want your target audience to experience as a result of participating in your project. Sometimes, holding a meeting with project staff and/or project partners will help when you focus the discussion on “What does success look like?” “If we are truly successful in accomplishing this project, what will be the impact on our target audience?”

Outcome-based evaluation is designed for assessing the impact of projects rather than the individual services a project may offer. Services are reflected as “outputs,” which are described a bit later. Projects generally have a beginning point and an ending point, and because of this, they help you know what to measure and when to measure it.

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Introduction | Building a Project | Evaluating the project | Reporting

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