Evaluation Title

Time Well Spent

Type of evaluation

Data type Qualitative

Evaluation Focus Distinctive contribution of Arts, Impact of arts-based approaches, Skills development

Key indicators Artform skills, Behavioural change, Completion rates, Engagement, Impact on Institution, Personal skills, Quality of participatory arts, Relationships with staff, Skills development

Project outputs Arts-based workshops, Performances

Methodologies Adjudication reports, Attendance registers, Diaries, Evaluation reviews, Observation, Participant observation, Questionnaires, Tracking forms

Summary of evaluation

Time Well Spent shares some of the key lessons learned from Music in Prisons’ programmes of music projects over six years, focusing on the stages of project delivery and the impact on participants, staff and musicians.

It follows the journey of all projects from the excitement of the initial idea or invitation; the hard work of planning and preparation; the building of relationships and trust; the stages of working together creatively; the sheer energy needed to stay with difficulties and challenges; the fears and exhilaration of performances; and finally the reflections, learning and striving for further opportunities and sustainability.

Project description

Time Well Spent summarises the lessons learned from the stages of devsing, planning and preparation, building relationships, delivering the projects, working with participants, working with staff, working with the challenges, learning from practice, building the evidence and developing sustainability. It draws on the following MiP evaluations:


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