Patternmakers Patternmakers

Evaluation of the Barking Gecko Theatre Company

We worked with Barking Gecko Theatre Company in Perth to evaluate their Ensembles program.

In 2018, we worked with Barking Gecko Theatre Company in Perth to evaluate their Ensembles program.

We explored how the Barking Gecko Ensembles program impacts the social and emotional wellbeing of young people through depth interviews and an online survey of over 200 people.

The results showed that the Barking Gecko Ensembles program positively impacts the wellbeing of young people, with 9 in 10 agreeing that the program supports good mental health. We also found that confidence, working in a team, expressing creativity and being able to connect with others are significant outcomes for young people involved in the program.

Image Credit: https://www.artshub.com.au/news/features/born-from-chaos-barking-gecko-theatre-is-30-years-strong-259152-2365193/

 
 

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Sydney Observatory Research for the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences

We conducted visitor research for the Sydney Observatory, including focus groups, mini group sessions and a survey of over 2000 Sydneysiders and tourists to understand motivations and barriers to attendance.

We conducted visitor research for the Sydney Observatory, including focus groups, mini group sessions and a survey of over 2000 Sydneysiders and tourists to understand motivations and barriers to attendance.

The insight derived from this research shaped the development of future Observatory events, programs and experiences. It informed decisions about branding, marketing, exhibitions, and programs for the future of MAAS.

Image Credit: https://www.maas.museum/sydney-observatory/

 
 

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Audience Development Case Studies for the Australia Council

In 2017, we travelled around Australia to interview selected organisations about their audience development work for the Australia Council for the Arts.

In 2017 we travelled around Australia to interview selected organisations about their audience development work for the Australia Council for the Arts.

The organisations involved were Orange Civic Centre, Secret Garden Festival, Murray Art Museum Albury, Arts Centre Melbourne and SA Writers Centre.

The resulting case studies investigate best practice in audience development in the arts and culture sector, exploring activities such as community engagement, customer relationship management, data-informed decision-making and education.

Image Credit: https://australiacouncil.gov.au/advocacy-and-research/audience-data-and-advocacy-tools/

 
 

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Impact Evaluation of Australian Theatre for Young People

In 2017, we worked with ATYP to explore the impact of youth theatre on mental health conditions and launch the findings at the Arts & Health Conference.

In 2017, we worked with ATYP to explore the impact of youth theatre on mental health conditions and launch the findings at the Arts & Health Conference.

This project involved a review of existing data & research, and new qualitative and quantitative research including depth interviews, an online discussion board and a survey of 1,200 parents, participants and stakeholders. We also provided advice on an organisation-wide research framework.

The results demonstrated the positive impacts of participating in theatre for young people, especially on young people’s mental health in both the long and short term. These important findings were then published in an article in the SMH which has a readership of around 633,000.

Read about or download the report:

Image Credit: https://atyp.com.au/

 
 

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Evaluation of the Sync Leadership Program for the Australia Council

In 2017, three years after the conclusion of the program, our team was commissioned to conduct an evaluation of the Sync Leadership Program for artists with disability. 

In 2017, three years after the conclusion of the program, our team was commissioned to conduct an evaluation of the Sync Leadership Program for artists with disability. 

Following fieldwork with arts leaders across Australia, the report reflected on the long–term outcomes of the program, and identified opportunities for further leadership development in the arts and disability sector.  

Image Credit: australiacouncil.gov.au/investment-and-development/leadership-program/future-leaders-program/

 
 

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Audience Research and Development Plans for four regional arts facilities in Victoria

In 2017 and 2018 we worked with four regional arts facilities in Victoria on new audience development plans, with support through Creative Victoria's Full House Program.

In 2017 and 2018, we worked with four regional arts facilities in Victoria, The Cube, COPACC, Castlemaine Art Museum and Horsham Town Hall, on new audience development plans, with support through Creative Victoria's Full House Program.

To deliver the audience development plans, we first undertook research and analysis into both current audiences and segments of the wider community. This involved a questionnaire design for an online survey, as well as conducting interviews with community leaders, and focus groups with members of the public.

We subsequently facilitated an interpretation workshop and audience development planning process for each facility to build evidence-based strategies. We worked with each organisation to implement the plans, monitor and evaluate progress.

Image Credit: www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/the-murray/see-and-do/art-and-culture/performing-arts/the-cube-wodonga

 
 

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Audience and Visitor Research Toolkit for Creative Victoria

In 2017, we worked with Creative Victoria to develop an online toolkit to support small-to-medium creative organisations undertake their own audience and visitor research.

We worked with Creative Victoria to develop an online toolkit to support small-to-medium creative organisations undertake their own audience and visitor research.

This project involved evaluating existing resources and designing and developing a toolkit that we test with end-user organisations. We applied both qualitative and quantitative research techniques to identify feedback and opportunities to refine the toolkit, and we worked closely with Creative Victoria’s appointed designers to deliver an end-user focussed toolkit.

To explore the toolkit, visit: https://creative.vic.gov.au/resources/audience-research-toolkit

 
 

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Evaluation of the Bella Room at the Museum of Contemporary Art

In 2016 and 2017, we worked with the MCA to evaluate the Bella Room, a series of commissions for people with disabilities.

In 2016 and 2017, we worked with the MCA to evaluate the Bella Room, a series of commissions for people with disabilities.

The evaluation explored the impact that the Room has on participants and their support workers and families, as well as the artistic and social outcomes of the Room.

We also developed training modules to help strengthen research skills for Bella Room Artist Educators and other staff.

The findings showed that the Bella Room has positive impacts on individuals by providing them with access to contemporary art, fostering a sense of community, building social skills, growing confidence, reducing anxiety, encouraging creativity and self-expression, giving a sense of achievement, and enabling access to opportunity.

Image Credit: https://www.mca.com.au/artists-works/artist-commissions/jackson-bella-room/

 
 

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Intrinsic Impact Study of Road Work for Performing Lines

Performing Lines commissioned Tandi Palmer Williams to help administer, analyse and report on the second phase of the Road Work intrinsic impact study.

From 2015-2017, Performing Lines commissioned Tandi Palmer Williams to help administer, analyse and report on the second phase of the Road Work intrinsic impact study.

Tandi worked with tour presenters, Performing Lines and Alan Brown to tailor the WolfBrown intrinsic impact tools for the regional Australian context, and develop guidelines for administration of surveys in 13 performing arts venues across Australia.

The results confirmed that touring contemporary performances to regional centres have the potential to attract new audiences to performing arts venues and create significant intrinsic impacts for audience members.

Image Credit: https://www.performinglines.org.au/2018/03/19/blak-lines-and-road-work-studies-released-2/

 
 

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Evaluation of Sydney Science Festival

Sydney Science Festival (SSF) commissioned Patternmakers to analyse audience feedback relating to brand recognition, event awareness, the experience at events and overall satisfaction.

Sydney Science Festival (SSF) commissioned Patternmakers to analyse audience feedback relating to brand recognition, event awareness, the experience at events and overall satisfaction.

We then worked with Inspiring Australia, the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences and the Australian Museum to evaluate SSF. The evaluation explored the effectiveness and relevance of SSF’s objectives and their approach to meeting these objectives, to inform future programming, marketing and partnerships.

The research involved a mixed methodology of interviews and focus groups with stakeholders and an internal survey of event presenters. The results demonstrated opportunities to build on SSF’s success and to establish it as a prominent science festival and key feature of Sydney’s cultural calendar.

 
 

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Membership Research for the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences

Patternmakers conducted qualitative (focus groups and depth interviews) and quantitative research with current members, lapsed members and frequent museum visitors.

Patternmakers conducted qualitative (focus groups and depth interviews) and quantitative research with current members, lapsed members and frequent museum visitors.

The research unveiled fresh insight about member motivations and expectations, and customer service experiences. We also tested a range of ideas about new membership features, which were then implemented.

 
 

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Evaluation Scoping Workshop for Country Arts SA

We worked with Country Arts SA to identify gaps and opportunities in the organisation’s evaluation framework, and explore how research could help the organisation build a stronger narrative about its work.

We worked with Country Arts SA to identify gaps and opportunities in the organisation’s evaluation framework, and explore how research could help the organisation build a stronger narrative about its work.

This involved developing a snapshot of best practice evaluation in the arts, and a workshop with key senior staff members to prioritise future research and evaluation activities according to likely impact.

Image Credit: https://www.countryarts.org.au/

 
 

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Audience and Hirer Research for City Recital Hall

Patternmakers worked with the City Recital Hall CEO and Marketing Manager on Audience and Hirer Research.

In 2016, Patternmakers worked with the City Recital Hall CEO and Marketing Manager on Audience and Hirer Research.

Situated in the heart of the CBD, City Recital Hall had ambitious plans to activate their space and grow audiences. This project helped gather insight from two key stakeholder groups: audiences and venue hirers, to inform development of future programming and marketing at the Hall.

Image Credit: https://www.sydneysymphony.com/venues/city-recital-hall

 
 

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Evaluation of the National Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator for Performing Lines

We worked collaboratively with the Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator to design an evaluation framework and gather feedback from regional presenters and community engagement stakeholders across Australia.

We worked collaboratively with the Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator to design an evaluation framework and gather feedback from regional presenters and community engagement stakeholders across Australia.

After workshopping the results, we developed a case study to share the outcomes and lessons from the pilot. Performing Lines secured support for the next phase of the pilot and presented the work at the Australian Performing Arts Centres Association Conference, where they were awarded Drover Award for Tour of the Year 2016.

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Image Credit: Tracey Schramm, courtesy of ATYP.

 
 

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Evaluation of the Unlimited Commissions Programme

In 2015, we worked with Morwenna Collett to evaluate the impact of the UK Unlimited Commissions Programme for disabled artists.

In 2015, we worked with Morwenna Collett to evaluate the impact of the UK Unlimited Commissions Programme for disabled artists.

Through a survey, focus group and series of interviews, we explored the question, ‘Is Unlimited Making a Difference in Shifting Perceptions of People with Disability?’.

Unlimited made a number of changes to its programmes based on opportunities identified by the evaluation, and was successful in securing increased funding from Arts Council England for international expansion.

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