Cultural Learning Alliance

There is an increasing realisation that the arts are essential to people’s wellbeing and that they provide a lifeline in difficult times

Julian Lloyd-Webber
Musician and Chairman of In Harmony

Evidence

Evidence Reports

How do we know what cultural learning can do? Here are some of the most compelling pieces of research that we have found...

If you have evidence of the impact of your cultural learning work and would like to share that with us, please email us with details – include a short description of the project and impact that has been evidenced. Enter the website details for the evidence report if there is one. Otherwise we'll be in touch to receive a copy from you.

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The one report you need to read

CASE is a programme of strategic research led by DCMS. This report explores the debates around cultural value, and considers the meaning of culture and the reasons why the evaluation of culture is such a difficult task. It also summarises the evidence we do have about the impact of cultural activities on children and young people’s attainment.
     

A Provocation

This provocation paper has been written by 19 year old Emrys Green, who feels young people should be respected as artists and practitioners of today who can inform the direction and development of cultural organisations.


Top 10 list:
 

Leicester Shire Find Your Talent. Photo: Alan Fletcher

The impact of Creative Partnerships on the wellbeing of children and young people University of Cambridge, 2012

This explores how the Creative Partnerships programme affected student wellbeing and the degree to which creative approaches became embedded in areas of the curriculum other than those directly involving creative practitioners. The researchers discuss approaches to creativity and creative learning.

 
Early Years Goes Jazzy - Gateshead International Jazz Festival - The Sage Gateshead - Credit Mark Savage

In Harmony Liverpool interium report year two, Liverpool Philharmonic, 2011

This report shows there is clear evidence of significant improvement in achievement by children taking part in In Harmony. This is strongly supported by attainment data, Ofsted reports and triangulation of data from parents, teachers and pupils. There is significant and triangulated qualitative evidence that self esteem, self confidence and well being have increased and remain high. 

 
Craftspace Craft=Skills for Life workshop at Ishango Science Club © Anand Chhabra
Learning: creative approaches that raise standards, Ofsted, 2010

This report illustrates how 44 schools used creative approaches to learning, and evaluates the impact on pupils’ achievement and personal development. Examples of good practice often involve cultural and arts practice or using cultural resources as a stimulus for learning.
 

Summer Arts Colleges 2009 Final Outcomes Report, Arts Council 2011

Summer Arts Colleges comprise an intensive six-week programme intended for high-risk young people. This report evidences that generally, long-term participation brings about a significant reduction in the offending rate after the programme and increases in literacy and numeracy levels.

 
CCE PWC
The Costs and Benefits of Creative Partnerships, CCE, 2010

PricewaterhouseCoopers was commissioned by CCE to prepare a report that analyses the economic costs and benefits of Creative Partnerships. Expressed as a ratio of the benefits to the costs, they estimate that every £1 invested in the programme delivers £15.30 worth of benefits.
 
Creating Better Outcomes for Children and Young People by Improving the Commissioning of Cultural Services, I&DeA, 2009

This research, undertaken with 12 Directors of Children and Young People’s Services or their representatives across four regions, indicates the issues and opportunities for cultural organisations in making a strong strategic contribution to the commissioning of public services.
 
RSC 2009, St Nicholas, Ellie Kurttz
An evaluation of Stand up for Shakespeare Executive summary and Full report

This report indicates that the RSC’s Learning and Performance Network has improved the quality of teaching and learning Shakespeare, progressed teacher and learner confidence, and developed awareness of performance as a school improvement strategy.
 
Youth Ensembles - The Sage Gateshead has 6 regional youth ensembles covering a wide variety of musitcal styles, including Folkestra and Young Sinfonia. Photo: Mark Savage
Hitting the right note: Learning and participation at The Sage Gateshead, DCSF, 2005

This is an investigation into the value and success of The Sage Gateshead’s work in terms of its effects on young people, and the position of The Sage Gateshead in the music-learning ecology of the region.
 
Photo by Mr Pix
HEARTS Higher Education, the Arts and Schools: an experiment in educating teachers, NfER, 2007

HEARTS intended to strengthen the arts element of initial training of primary school teachers, through supporting HEIs in the introduction of new programmes of arts work into their curricula. This report outlines the outcomes of the programme.
 
The Sage Gateshead Comusica. Photo: Mark Savage
Cultural Hubs 2005 to 2008: evaluation report, Arts Council England and MLA, 2008

Cultural Hubs explored a model for delivering a workable cultural offer for children and young people. This report is the evaluation of the programme, showing the impact on all involved; it also analyses the three different Hub management approaches.
 

Youth Dance England. Photographer: Brian Slater
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