Recent Consultancy Projects

Evaluation support: Creative Connections

Client: New Art Exchange, Nottingham http://www.nae.org.uk/

Although the project was interrupted by COVID 19, I advised the Learning Producer on evaluating Creative Connections. This innovative programme paired up schools in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire with catchments of children from different cultural backgrounds. The aim was to use artist-led creative activity and Philosophy for Children to nurture understanding and empathy. I devised an evaluation plan and ran an online discussion with the artists and Learning Producer to reflect on the project and make recommendations for the next iteration. The final report was in the form of a Powerpoint presentation.

Evaluation

Client: Tate, ARTIST ROOMS https://www.tate.org.uk/artist-rooms

In 2019-20, working with Sheila McGregor https://www.sheilamcgregor.co.uk  and Sarah Boiling  https://sarahboilingassociates.com/ I completed an evaluation of ARTIST ROOMS, a Tate national programme of touring exhibitions and its accompanying CPD sessions.  We reviewed data from over 30 venues and advised on streamlining the evaluation process, which is based on online surveys completed by visitors, curators and young people. Our report illustrates the extent to which the programme met its objectives and offers recommendations for the future, including on the evaluation framework.

Evaluation planning

Client: Cause 4  https://www.cause4.co.uk/

Cause 4 commissioned Felicity Woolf Associates to review past evaluations for the Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy programme and to draft an evaluation framework for 2018-2022. We worked with Cause 4 on a logic model to agree outputs and outcomes; these were used as the basis for an evaluation plan across all programme strands, including individual Fundraising Fellowships, board training and online learning.

Review of Learning at Bletchley Park

Client: Bletchley Park Trust   https://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/

About: I led a small team of consultants with Sheila McGregor to review all aspects of the learning programme at Bletchley Park, the home of secret intelligence during World War 2. We consulted with staff and volunteers and analysed the huge amount of evaluation data already collected by the learning team from teachers, pupils, families and other users. A specialist on our team, Becky Palmer, advised on how digital technology could be used most effectively to enhance learners’ experience onsite and online.

Testimonial: We thoroughly enjoyed working with you and the team. Overall the report will be a great help in sparking discussions about future delivery and I am even more mindful of the need to carve out time for CPD, reflection and development. Kate Travers, Head of Learning, Bletchley Park Trust

Board development: developing vision and values

Client: Sharpe’s Pottery Heritage and Arts Trust
Funding: National Heritage Lottery Fund
About: In 2019 I was part of a team supporting trustees of a small museum in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire, located in an iconic kiln hovel, to redefine their vision and values and refresh their business plan. We wrote job descriptions for a centre manager and the Chair and ran workshops for volunteers, staff and trustees. This was all part of a National Heritage Lottery Fund project to help develop the museum’s resilience.

Sharpe’s Pottery museum https://www.sharpespotterymuseum.org.uk/

Project development for Heritage MK

Client: Heritage MK is a consortium of five organisations: Bletchley Park Trust, City Discovery Centre, Cowper and Newton Museum, Living Archive and Milton Keynes Museum
Funding: Arts Council England, Resilience and Milton Keynes Council
About: I managed a small team of associates with expertise in fundraising and museum management to help the partners refine and agree a vision, mission and strategy for Heritage MK (formerly MK Collection). This formed the basis for a five-year business plan and fund-raising strategy, with a role profile and job description for a business development manager. We consulted with individual partners and facilitated workshops to discuss the way forward.

Testimonial: Thanks for all your hard work over the last few months. You were all invaluable in guiding us through the process of developing MK Collection’s second stage strategy. I know all the partners found it very useful in helping us to shape our future plans. Your work in facilitating our discussions was excellent and your patience admirable! Iain Standen, CEO, Bletchley Park Trust

Supporting the evaluation of Culture Shifts for Open Eye

Client: Open Eye Gallery – Liverpool   https://openeye.org.uk/about/
Funding: Arts Council England touring, local authorities in the Liverpool City Region and Open Eye
About: I am supporting the Culture Shifts creative producer to manage the evaluation of this complex project. Culture Shifts is a socially engaged photography programme, working with 11 national and international photographers embedded in communities across 7 areas of Liverpool City Region. Evidence will come from participants’ digital stories, the photographers and visitors to various exhibitions and online platforms. My role is to help the creative producer describe and analyse the impact of the project and its potential to change photography practice.

Find out more: https://openeye.org.uk/whatson-category/culture-shifts/

Redeye workshop: Photographing the City at Night, with Adam Lee

Evaluation of Strengthening our Common Life

Client: Culture& (formerly Cultural Co-operation)
Funding: Heritage Lottery Fund, Skills for the Future
About: I was contracted with Norinne Betjemann to evaluate the first round of this programme, now in its fourth year. 12 training placements in ten heritage organisations took place over an 18 month programme. Partners hosting placements included Historic Royal Palaces, King’s College London, Horniman Museum, Garden Museum and Southbank Centre. Trainees were from British minority ethnic backgrounds, and this was one of a handful of projects promoting diversity in the heritage workforce. We devised and managed the evaluation which was based on the generic learning outcomes framework and collected evidence from online surveys, interviews and focus groups.

Find out more: https://www.cultureand.org/strengthening-our-common-life/