How can you evaluate the impact of a grant on arts education?

3 Implement your plan

The third step is to implement your evaluation plan according to your methods and timeline. This means that you will need to prepare and distribute your data collection tools, recruit and train your data collectors, monitor and manage your data quality, and store and organize your data securely. You will also need to communicate regularly with your stakeholders, such as your grantor, your staff, your partners, and your participants, to keep them informed and engaged in your evaluation process.

4 Analyze your data

The fourth step is to analyze your data and interpret your findings. This means that you will need to use appropriate techniques and software to process and summarize your data, such as descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, content analysis, or thematic analysis. You will also need to compare your data with your goals and objectives, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of your grant-funded arts education program or project. You will also need to consider the limitations and challenges of your evaluation, such as data gaps, biases, or ethical issues.

5 Report your results

The fifth step is to report your results and share your insights. This means that you will need to create and deliver a clear and compelling report that highlights the impact of your grant on arts education. Your report should include an executive summary, an introduction, a methodology section, a results section, a discussion section, a conclusion section, and a recommendations section. You should also use visual aids, such as graphs, charts, tables, or photos, to illustrate your data and findings. You should also tailor your report to your audience, such as your grantor, your staff, your partners, or your participants, and use appropriate language and tone.

6 Apply your learning

The sixth and final step is to apply your learning and improve your practice. This means that you will need to use your evaluation results and feedback to inform your future decisions and actions. You should also celebrate your achievements and acknowledge your challenges, and share your learning and best practices with your peers and the wider arts education community. By applying your learning, you will be able to enhance the impact of your grant on arts education, and demonstrate your accountability and credibility as a fundraiser and an arts educator.