Evaluation Toolkits Workshop

On 17th November, praXis will be running a workshop focusing on Evaluation Toolkits. This is intended for anyone who has already used evaluation in their work to some extent. Each participant will be asked to bring a tried and tested evaluation 'tool' or method along with them to share with the group and talk about its development, application and how effective it was. By the end of the session it is hoped that a range of different tools will have been uncovered and discussed. These can then be shared further afield, via the praXis and 'Creative Materials' websites www.creativematerials.co.uk. We must stress that this is not a workshop to learn how to evaluate.

The event is being held on Tuesday 17th November, from 10am-12.30pm at the Greets Green Access Centre, Tildasley Street, West Bromwich, B70 9SJ. It is a free session, and lunch will also be provided. Places are already filling up. To register your interest, please contact Karen Bell on 07786 031851 or email karen@creativityteam.co.uk

Creative Health Opportunities

Creative Health CIC (the new Community Interest Company for arts and health in the West Midlands), in partnership with Staffordshire County Council, and the Arts and Health: Artist Professional Development Programme is offering the following opportunities for people wishing to develop their skills and knowledge of arts and health work:

Creative Remedies

Sub-Regional Arts & Health Strategy

Both these commissions are directly linked to the Artist Professional Development Programme at Staffordshire University, which runs for a third time, in February 2010. Successful applicants would be expected to attend the course. Please click here to find out more about the Programme

To register an initial expression of interest in either of the commissions above, please send Creative Health your CV and a short statement saying which one you are interested in, why you would be suitable and the amount of time you would be willing to commit to this learning opportunity. Send this to info@creativehealthcic.co.uk by Friday 27th November. Notification of interviews will be given on Monday 30th November.

For an informal discussion about either opportunity please contact Kate Gant 0121 778 5695

The Good Life Opportunity

Cannock Chase Council Arts Development and South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust have worked together in the past with Artist Professional Development Programme students to create an initiative called:



The Good Life: www.thegoodlife.uk.net

They are now offering an opportunity for someone to evaluate this initiative creatively, amongst its participating primary schools. This will provide the successful applicant the chance to work alongside the project's lead evaluator Kate Gant, to inspire their creative approaches in order to capture how children, teachers and families are benefiting from accessing the website and supporting book; the impact The Good Life having on living a healthier lifestyle; and so on.

The successful applicant will be tasked to work with core groups of children in five primary schools in the Cannock Chase district, to motivate and inspire them to become The Good Life champions and collate information on the evaluators' behalf.
The information they collect will contribute to a showcase report.

Celebrate Happiness

Photo © Multistory

On Thursday 22nd October, approximately 80 people came to the Public in West Bromwich on a rainy evening to celebrate the launch of the 'What is Happiness?' exhibition. Participants from many of the community groups who worked on the project with artists from Multistory were there. They also brought along their children, friends and support workers to see their individually designed cardboard houses, which have been brought together to form a 'Happiness Estate'.

The key speech of the evening was given by Dr John Middleton, Director of Public Health for Sandwell Primary Care Trust. In a heartfelt address he said that he thought the exhibition was "wonderful". He felt the project fostered a sense of belonging, a strong community, helping each other and working together. All attributes which make it a perfect example of something communities can produce together which individuals could not do on their own. John is also a musician and believes passionately that participating in the arts is an excellent way to look after our own health and well-being.
He feels that the 'What is Happiness?' project demonstrates the advantages of a joint approach to arts and health commissioning and looks forward to future arts projects happening across the Black Country.

Also speaking at the event were Max Bailey (Head of Walsall Cultural Development Team), Marion Sheffield (Co-ordinator of the Wolverhampton Women's Wellbeing Centre) and Leanne and Kylie, two young mums who were part of the Tipton Young Parents Group. Everyone raised a glass and toasted the success of the exhibition, and afterwards took a slice of a huge house-shaped cake home with them!

The 'Happiness' exhibition is now open at The Public, New Street, West Bromwich, B70 7PG until Friday 27 November, Wednesdays to Sundays, 10am - 6pm. The exhibition provides visitors with a fascinating visual insight into what makes people from across the Black Country happy. Media coverage for the event has been fantastic. Check out this article on the BBC website as well as the BBC Video Nation film about the project.

There is also a text, email and postcard campaign running as part of the project and anyone can contribute. Just text 'Happiness is...' and your answer along with your name, age and postcode to 60300 or email the information to happiness@multistory.org.uk. All the responses will contribute to a virtual Black Country Happiness Map and will give a fascinating insight into what makes people from across the Black Country happy. If you would like to know more about the project please contact Karen Bell at info@creativehealthcic.co.uk



Photo © Multistory

The opportunity is part of the MA level module course - Artist Professional Development Programme, which will begin in February 2010. Applicants are not expected to have carried out evaluation before, but are expected to have had community arts experience and have worked with children. As a student on the course, you must have studied previously at degree level. For an informal discussion please ring Lisa Shephard on 0781 233 2964

To apply for this unique opportunity, please declare your interest by Friday 27th November, by providing:
• A written statement on how you would motivate a 'task force' of children to carry out a fun but robust evaluation within the school.
• An up to date CV, including visuals (if appropriate)

The fee for this piece of work is £1750, which is equivalent to 10 days work, with course fee included.

Please either respond by email to: lisajshephard@cannockchasedc.gov.uk, marking in the subject line: THE GOOD LIFE CREATIVE EVALUATION OPP.

Or post to: Lisa Shephard - Arts Development
Cannock Chase Council
Civic Centre
PO Box 21
Beecroft Road
Cannock
Staffs. WS11 1BG

Deadline for interest: November 27th. Notification of interviews: 30th November