Creative Evaluation

Exploring the impact and effectiveness of B.ARTS with the people involved

Case studies help illustrate the concrete effects of an organisation’s work, providing tangible examples of how projects and practices benefit the people involved in them. They allow for a detailed exploration of people’s experiences, going beyond surface-level observations to uncover deeper insights about a project or program’s effectiveness.

The case studies in this publication follow the journeys of Sue, Jess and Steve, from the point of their first experience with B arts to the present day. They illuminate how B arts’ cultural ethos, practices and projects foster a sense of confidence, security and belonging. They demonstrate the effectiveness of B arts’ partnership working, and their value within the ecosystem of local initiatives, community services, and support organisations. And they illustrate how the organisation empowers people to unlock their potential and thrive.

The case studies and the self-portraits that accompany them were written and created in collaborative workshops led by artist-researcher Nic Winstanley. They are a result of experiments in visual storytelling, collaborative poetry, printmaking and collage making and lots of conversations over tea, books and art materials.

Many thanks to Sue, Jess and Steve for their time, insight and willingness to take part in this process.