Arts Evaluation

Arts managers are often understandably hesitant to engage in evaluation processes––they can seem overly complex and extraneous to the pressing concerns that occupy their daily work. Maren Brown Associates designed evaluation processes that resulted in practical, implementable improvements to organizations and their programs. Our hope was that, through our work together, evaluation became an essential, uncomplicated component of each organization’s culture.

Our approach to evaluation was collaborative and adaptable.  We worked with clients as partners throughout the process: jointly identifying intended outcomes and developing measurement approaches that were the best fit for each organization or project.

Maren Brown Associates offered a number of evaluation and assessment services, including:

• Needs assessments
• Program evaluation
• Program planning and design
• Evaluation coaching for staff and volunteers
• Designing evaluation systems and tools

As part of these evaluation and assessment projects, clients choose from a variety of services:  developing and facilitating interactive planning retreats to help establish realistic goals and evaluation strategies; designing and conducting needs assessments; developing evaluation plans; conducting, analyzing, and reporting on key stakeholder input through surveys, interviews, and focus groups; reviewing and analyzing internal data; conducting benchmarking research; and consulting on program design.

After an evaluation process was completed, we were available to coach organizational and program leaders on the development of systems that could be implemented by staff and volunteers to gather ongoing information about a program or organization.  We were also available to work with staff on how to interpret and prioritize evaluation results. And, we designed and facilitated educational retreats about program evaluation as a tool for organizational and program development.

Sample clients (click below for a full list of projects):

Mid-America Arts Alliance, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, Pig Iron Theatre, Vermont Arts Council Arts Education Program, Massachusetts Cultural Council, New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, Arkansas Arts Council, Juneau Arts and Humanities Council