Creative and Credible Evaluation for Arts, Health and Well-being: Opportunities and Challenges of Co-production

Background: This paper reports findings from a one-year UK
knowledge exchange (KE) project completed in 2015. Stakeholders’
experiences of evaluation were explored in order to develop online
resources to strengthen knowledge and capacity within the arts and
health sector (www.creativeandcredible.co.uk).
Methods: The project used mixed methods, including a survey,
interviews and focus groups, guided by a Stakeholder Reference
Group comprised of 26 leading UK evaluators, researchers, artists,
health professionals, commissioners and funders.
Results: The project identified opportunities for arts arising from
current health and social care policy agendas. It also identified
challenges including the lack of agreed evaluation frameworks and
difficulties in evaluation practice.
Conclusions: Co-production between stakeholders is needed to
strengthen evaluation practice and support the development of the
arts and health sector. Effective co-production can be undermined
by structural and cultural barriers as well as unequal stakeholder
relationships. The paper discusses recent initiatives designed to
support best practice.