mosaic stepping stones evaluation process

The Parks Childrens House Creative Network group includes participants who are new mothers seeking support with their first child - mostly quite young, some with physical or mental health issues, some have partners/some are single, generally low income, maybe housing trust clients, perhaps social or work skills need developing - the changes may be slow but significant. They are all justifiably proud of the art work they have created over the past three years of the Parks Helix Project (photographic pet safety posters, calendars, play area design, marine ply silhouette cut-outs for building façade, mosaic seat and now mosaic stepping stones) and now want their group to continue on a self-managed basis to gain funding and do more art projects.

Part of the evaluation we were asked to do on this project was to identify how the project has fostered health and wellbeing. I used a questionnaire to gather data from the participants and also initiated conversations about the subject. Questions included: What was the best part of the project? What was the worst part of the project? How could the project be improved? How can this group keep going in the future? Would you be a part of it? What difference has this project made in your life? Has this project changed how you think and feel about your future?




I had a conversation with a peer support trainee (previously a participant who I will call N) who was working with our project about how being involved might cause changes in individuals. Over the last 3 years, while N participated in different stages of the Parks Helix Project, I have observed that N's confidence has grown significantly - learning a variety of new arts based skills, participating increasingly confidently in a group situation, has attended training in peer support, is now working in a paid support trainee role - which includes greater responsibilities, and overcoming personal barriers. N's response was that she now feels more creative and confident, and would like to do more arts based projects, which was a fairly typical response. Others expressed pleasure at being part of artmaking, and also enjoyed the walking aspects of the sessions.

I read an article about the Artful Dodgers Studio, and 'dynamic observation approach', using identified indicators to monitor individual progress during participation in the ongoing program. One interesting approach was for the worker to compile a series of 'snap-shots' or observational report every couple of months to track changes in a participant, which then provided a detailed account of each participant's developmental journey. (Artwork magazine, issue 59, Sept 2004, p28-31) This approach resonates with and articulates the approach I used as an artsworker during the Parks Helix Project initiatives.

As this stage was focussed on creating art for a community walking trail, part of every workshop involved walking for at least part of the session. We also took a picnic to the parks a few times, which were enjoyed by the participants and their children.

The 'big books' were the main evaluation and documentation of the initiative…recorded in an A3 artist journal. more on this useful tool soon.