Operating Support
ACHF Arts Access
More than 6,000 students in grades 2-12 will be engaged in our educational outreach programs, WITNESS and Cantaré. Our WITNESS program has an evaluation system that was implemented more than 10 years ago and has recently been enhanced by independent evaluation consultants. A staff person conducts classroom observation of each Teaching Artist and evaluates teacher involvement to assess future partnership opportunities. A formal process of program assessment and evaluation of the program is in place, focusing on student and teacher response to the curriculum and impact of the teaching artists. Teaching artist feedback is required at the completion of each session and is gathered through a written evaluation and an end-of-year focus group. The level of satisfaction from participants is high and continually improves. Likewise for Cantaré, a professional evaluation firm has developed a logic model, and VocalEssence implements surveys and focus groups to evaluate the program. The Director of Community Engagement also regularly conducts classroom observations of each Cantaré Composer. 2: More than 1,000 adults will attend one of our community outreach activities. A formative and summative evaluation of the Choral Pathways program was completed by an independent consulting firm. A formative evaluation was completed in December 2012 and consisted of qualitative research including observation of workshops, and focus groups or interviews with participants and activities directors. The summative evaluation was completed in March 2013. Data collection for the summative evaluation included the following components: 1) A participant survey by 83 participants at 5 of 8 facilities, a 20% return of spring participants. 2) An online survey was completed by 10 activities directors at participating facilities. 3) An interview with the education manager after the concert. Informal evaluation of other workshops and programs was based on staff observations and participant comments and feedback.
VocalEssence offered 4,410 students of all ages, ethnicities, and abilities the opportunity to participate in the arts. Participating schools were from the Twin Cities Metro and Greater Minnesota. A third of schools reported a less than 50% white student body, and about half reported a free and reduced lunch rate above 50%. Through WITNESS, students in grades 4-12 were inspired by the story of legendary singer Marian Anderson. Due to a restructure of staff resources, we presented only two of the planned four Young People's Concerts, which contributed to missing our goal of 6,000 students. However, the program was successful and included workshops and two performances. The 5th year Cantor program included 2 composers from Mexico who visited to work with more than 400 students at local elementary and high schools. The CantarΘ Community Concert was attended by 1,200 people and included student and VocalEssence performances of music by the Mexican composers. The 5th year Cantor program included 2 composers from Mexico who visited to work with more than 400 students at local elementary and high schools. The CantarΘ Community Concert was attended by 1,200 people and included student and VocalEssence performances of music by the Mexican composers. 2: Through concert conversations, the Choral Pathways Program and presentations in conjunction with the OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute, VocalEssence ensured 1,836 adults of all ages, ethnicities, and abilities participated in the arts. VocalEssence reached 600 older adults in assisted living facilities through the Choral Pathways Program. Participants had the opportunity to attended workshops and a VocalEssence concert. The interactive nature of the workshops were designed to help older adults participate in, not just attend, these events and to enhance their concert experience. Other opportunities for arts participation included teacher seminars, five pre-concert conversations, and three OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute presentations.
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