Media, Communication and Production
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/13
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Item Arts based methods as a tool for impact research [Video](Fast Track Impact, 2022-02-28) Blanche, RachelItem As Others See Us: What Makes Scotland’s Cultural Sector Distinctive? [Report](British Council Scotland, 2022-07-06) Blanche, Rachel; Beattie, BryanIn a deep dive into global perceptions, this report presents data on what makes Scotland’s arts and culture sector distinctive on the international stage. The report reveals that Scotland’s cultural policies, arts for children and young people, and the disability arts sector are among key cultural assets as perceived by stakeholders.Item Beyond the Stage: Understanding the Benefits of Outdoor Arts, Circus and Spectacle in Scotland: Full Report(Articulation, 2025-12-15) Blanche, Rachel; O’Grady, TrishThis report has been commissioned from QMU by Articulation, Scotland’s network agency for outdoor arts, circus and spectacle to address long-standing gaps in the policy understanding of outdoor arts, circus and spectacle. This document presents full findings from this research documenting the current nature and scope of this work within Scotland’s cultural landscape, including testimony and data from the sector. It is accompanied by a shorter Summary of Main Findings.Item Beyond the Stage: Understanding the Benefits of Outdoor Arts, Circus and Spectacle in Scotland: Summary of Main Findings(Articulation, 2025-12-15) Blanche, Rachel; O'Grady, TrishAs a companion to the Full Report of the same title, this summary report highlights the key findings, recommendations and policy messages arising from QMU’s study of outdoor arts, circus and spectacle in Scotland. The study was commissioned by Articulation, Scotland’s network agency for outdoor arts, circus and spectacle. The findings are intended to raise the policy profile of the practices explored as a vital, multi-skilled and uniquely accessible sector, enabling Articulation to advocate more effectively on their behalf.Item Developing a Foundation for Quality Guidance for arts organisations and artists in Scotland working in participatory settings: a report commissioned by Creative Scotland(Creative Scotland, 2014-02-10) Blanche, Rachel; Creative ScotlandThis study has been commissioned to provide a foundation for a quality framework for the participatory arts in Scotland, rationalising, synthesising and condensing learning from the body of knowledge extant in the fields of arts, culture and education (and emerging from the Artworks programme), which can inform the development of a guidance toolkit at a later stage. There is currently no commonly used reference point for quality in participatory settings, to aid staff within Creative Scotland and the sector for funding this work or planning organisational developments. Once this is developed it will feed into a new framework and guidance on Quality for the arts in Scotland, based on solid foundations of knowledge and best practice. Creative Scotland's focus on quality in participatory arts settings represents a significant development. Participatory arts are becoming more prevalent and subject to greater demand (Kay 2012), which is evidenced by recent reporting by the Institute for Research in the Social Science (IRISS) that social care employers are reliant on commissioning artists to deliver activities with people who use services (Pattoni 2013). A number of investigations have found gaps in recognition and support for participatory arts and a lack of a framework for strengthening practice and capturing outcomes (Schwarz 2014, Lowe 2011, Siedel et al 2010, Lord et al 2012). Creative Scotland is in a unique position to facilitate developments in this sector in the interests of managing quality in its funded activities. Through its development of a new quality framework for participatory arts, Creative Scotland can lead the way in a new, informed understanding of quality and how best to foster it.Item Embedding quality in your commissioning practice (Blog Posting)(National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), 2017-11-30) Blanche, RachelTo add to the valuable partnership resources developed by the Cultural Commissioning Programme, I’d like to flag parallel work around quality happening in the arts sector. Even though the new insights come from participatory arts research I believe they’re crucial for any kind of work delivered with beneficiaries. The quality of what we deliver, and the quality of our users’ experiences and outcomes, is directly related to the level of shared understanding and purpose between us and our project partners. Because key conditions for quality arise in the Inception phase of a project, this has obvious significance for commissioning.Item Embedding quality insights from participatory arts into Arts & Health commissioning(Engage, 2018-11-14) Blanche, RachelHow can we factor quality into arts and health commissioning? This short video presentation offers insights on the conditions needed for quality, and what systems can best support artists in delivering their best socially engaged, participatory practice.Item Enhancing and harmonising the strategic management of UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador Programme (Policy Brief 11)(UK National Commission for UNESCO, 2013-08-05) Blanche, Rachel; Carnie, CatherineUNESCO's Honorary and Goodwill Ambassador Programme (GWAP) has successfully deployed prominent individuals and celebrity advocates to help focus the world's attention on the ideals, goals and work of UNESCO. Moves to rationalise GWA activity across the UN since 2003 have led to a number of developments for UNESCO's GWAP. This policy brief offers observations on how the GWAP can move forward in the context of UNESCO's Partnership Strategy, highlighting key challenges that should be addressed for the long-term strategic benefit of the programme and making recommendations for good practice. Building on UNESCO's strategy, this paper recommends that further scrutiny and development of the programme be focused on GWA selection, work structure, terms of reference and programme evaluation.Item Evaluating impact from research: A methodological framework(Elsevier, 2021-01-08) Reed, M. S.; Ferré, M.; Martin-Ortega, J.; Blanche, Rachel; Lawford-Rolfe, R.; Dallimer, M.; Holden, J.Background: Interest in impact evaluation has grown rapidly as research funders increasingly demand evidence that their investments lead to public benefits.Item A holistic approach for quality in participatory arts: Impacts on practice experienced by artists in Scotland, Wales and Portugal(Queen Margaret University, 2020-12) Blanche, RachelA sector-facing report of survey and interview evidence gathered from 44 artists applying tools and approaches in Scotland, Wales and Portugal operationalising a quality approach recommended by the author. The report shares for artist practitioners, funders and policymakers examples of how artists use this approach and the perceived benefits for practice.Item How arts-based methods can enrich your evaluation of impact [podcast](Fast Track Impact, 2023-09) Blanche, Rachel; Reed, MarkThis week, Mark interviews Rachel Blanche from Queen Margaret University Edinburgh to find out how arts-based methods can provide depth and rigour to an impact evaluation. They discuss a range of approaches including visual, performative and narrative methods, the types of evidence these methods can generate, how these approaches can empower participants in determining what’s meaningful, and how evaluating in this way can itself generate further impacts. Rachel shares two examples of arts-based methods used to evaluate impact in healthcare research – a theatre project capturing data on dementia care (citing this paper) and (a participative creative inquiry on osteoporosis.Item How Evaluation impedes Quality Improvement [Video](2021-03-25) Blanche, RachelItem Insights for employers, commissioners and funders in facilitating quality impacts through participatory arts(Paul Hamlyn Foundation / Artworks, 2014-11-01) Blanche, Rachel; ArtworksEvidences quality cannot be attributed solely to the artist and activity undertaken, as decisions by a wide range of stakeholders, at different project stages, influence delivery. Robust, constructive communication between partners is key to creating the conditions needed for quality work.Item Mapping contemporary visual art and design education in Scotland: Full report(Engage Scotland, 2022-03) McKinnon, Caitlin; Schrag, Anthony; Blanche, RachelItem Mapping contemporary visual art and design education in Scotland: Summary of key findings(Engage Scotland, 2022-03) McKinnon, Caitlin; Schrag, Anthony; Blanche, RachelItem Mapping the Visual Arts in Scotland: Survey of Individuals Working in the Visual Arts Sector in Scotland, Undertaken by the Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN) on behalf of Creative Scotland, A Report of Key Findings, Prepared by Rachel Blanche, December 2015(Creative Scotland, 2015-11) Blanche, Rachel; Creative ScotlandItem Mapping the Visual Arts in Scotland: Survey of Organisations in the Visual Arts Sector in Scotland Undertaken by the Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN) On behalf of Creative Scotland, A Report of Key Findings Prepared by Rachel Blanche December 2015(Creative Scotland, 2015-12) Blanche, Rachel; Creative ScotlandItem National Evaluation of the Culture Collective programme Part one: ‘Unprecedented and revitalising’ - Emerging Impacts and Ways of Working: Reflections from the first year of the Culture Collective, Reporting from Queen Margaret University March 2023(Creative Scotland, 2023-03) Blanche, Rachel; Stevenson, David; Schrag, Anthony; McGrath, Alice; Beattie, Bryan; McKinnon, CaitlinThe Culture Collective is a network of 26 participatory arts projects, shaped by local communities alongside artists and creative organisations, and funded by Scottish Government emergency COVID-19 funds through Creative Scotland. This report captures a snapshot of the programme a year into their work.Item National Evaluation of the Culture Collective programme: PART THREE. ‘PROCESS, NOT OUTCOMES’ A final summary and reflection of the Culture Collective programme. Reporting from Queen Margaret University, October 2023(Creative Scotland, 2023) Blanche, Rachel; McGrath, Alice; Schrag, Anthony; Beattie, Bryan; Stevenson, DavidItem National Evaluation of the Culture Collective Programme: Part Two. ‘ALMOST TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE’ Case Studies from the Culture Collective Reporting from Queen Margaret University, October 2023(Creative Scotland, 2023) Blanche, Rachel; McGrath, Alice; Schrag, Anthony; Stevenson, David; Beattie, Bryan