AoP in the Baltic Sea Evaluation Framework

The process evaluation explores the implementation processes of the AoP programmes across all five countries (PL, DE, LT, SWE and DK).  Particularly, this part of the evaluation focuses on implementation strategies, not only identifying which ones are relevant for implementing AoP but also providing insights into how, for whom, and in what contexts these strategies work. The process evaluation employs a multimethod approach informed by realist evaluation, utilising literature reviews, individual interviews, group interviews, and gathering stakeholder perspectives to gain comprehensive insights. The process evaluation pursues the following aims:  

• To assess and document the implementation of the AoP programmes among all piloting partners
• To identify and define implementation strategies for AoP programmes
• To investigate how, for whom, and in what contexts a subset of the identified implementation strategies work.

Feedback tree 

At the end of each AoP workshop, participants were asked to give anonymous feedback about their experience in written form. They were asked to write in response to two questions: What have you learned or discovered today? How did that make you feel? Feedback was written on coloured shapes and assembled as a “feedback tree” or another easy constellation.
Collecting feedback after each session was designed to capture immediate experiences about participation in arts activities in a group setting. It also helped in understanding what is special about the arts and the different art forms. Further, the idea was to create a safe routine for the participants and reserve a little bit of time for reflection in the end of each workshop session. Read more about the Feedback tree here.

Creative focus group interviews were organised after the last workshop session to reflect and share experiences related to the AoP process. The creative focus group interview was structured around three creative exercises, each followed by a discussion together with the group. The creative focus group interview was designed to actively engage participants, to facilitate reflection and discussion and enable everyone to contribute. The creative focus group interview was also designed to sum-up and end the AoP process collectively together with the group. Read more about the creative focus group here.

The economic evaluation assesses the cost-effectiveness of the Arts on Prescription programmes by comparing the resource use with the benefits achieved. Building on the effect evaluation and cost reports from programme partners, this part of the evaluation aims to answer the following research question: 

• What are the incremental costs associated with achieving specific outcomes? (e.g., what is the cost of changingparticipants’ wellbeing scores by one point through AoP?).

The evaluation framework described above has been developed for the purpose of the Arts on Prescription in the Baltic Sea Region project. It has been designed to fit the evaluation aims and objectives, the target audience as well as the timeline of this specific project.  

You can adjust the evaluation framework to fit better your own evaluation needs, your specific context of AoP, target audience etc. You can also use the evaluation framework only for inspiration to get ideas for planning your own evaluation design.