KCAAEN Leadership Kit - The John F. Kennedy Center for the ...

SYSTEMS AND SECTORS—Not-for-Profit Arts
IV. Evaluation—Measuring Success and Impact
A. Program Evaluation
Not-for-profit arts organizations use of multiple evaluation measures, i.e. box office data, critical
reviews, surveys, community planning forums, other measures depending on the program/service
being evaluated.
B. Program Impact
In terms of arts education, not-for-profit arts organizations use a variety of methods to gauge the
impact of their work. These include short term and long-term evaluation methods:
1) Surveys or evaluation forms which gather feedback during or immediately following an event(s),
2) Evaluation methods which help to identify what new knowledge or skills have been applied as a
result of participation (i.e. KCAAEN Impact Survey), and
3) More extensive research using outside evaluators to document and improve the quality of an
arts education program.
Whichever method(s) an organization uses, the summary and analysis of the information and
datacollected is essential.
V. Key Issues in Not-for-Profit Arts (What)
A. Artistic Vision/Mission
B. Leadership and Board Development
C. Financial Management
D. Fundraising, includes corporate, foundation, individual, government
E. Communications, including Community Relations, Press and Media coverage of the arts
F. Cultural Planning
G. Membership and Audience Development; Marketing
H. Community Arts Development
I. Volunteerism
VI. What the Research Shows (also noteworthy)
A. Economic Impact—Americans for the Arts (a merger of the former ACA—American Council for
the Arts—and NALAA—National Assembly of Local Arts Agencies) has historically sponsored
the economic impact studies regarding the not-for-profit arts sector. The most recent studies are
available at www.artsusa.org
B. Arts Wire Website (news of interest), www.nyfa.org
C. Some commonly held beliefs about fundraising—
1) Fundraising is a necessity for survival
2) Funding and support changes over time due to the economy, politics and public perception of
the importance of arts and culture
3) Policy—general shift for most funding agencies— from providing Operating vs. Project Funding
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