Evaluation Title

Supporting employability and personal effectiveness through the arts: international evaluation of this European Project by Jo Cursley

Type of evaluation

Data type Qualitative

Evaluation Focus Attitudinal change, Behaviour change, Impact of arts-based approaches, Impact of programme, Impact on institution, Life Skills, Self-Esteem, Sense of self

Key indicator Attitudinal change

Project output Accreditation

Methodologies Interviews, Observation, Pre and post programme measures

Research limitations Measuring crime reduction, Sustainability

Summary of evaluation

Supporting employability and personal effectiveness (SEPE) is the name of a qualification which was first conceived by the University of Exeter, developed and accredited by Edexcel and piloted through Superact by funding from Leonardo Lifelong Learning Project and the Medicor Foundation in five European countries. The arts were used as the tool of development. The report examines the challenges and successes of the project in these five European countries. The results were in part determined by the culture of each country and prison, as well as the experience and outlook of the individual artists running the project in each prison.

Key Quote

Success from the pilots occurred most effectively where the prison embraced and empowered the project rather than just letting it happen. Where connectivity was able to be established at the highest levels in their respective ministries, there was more chance for future sustainability. 


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Arts Alliance Evidence Library