Here are some brief notes on what was discussed at the session on evaluating impact of community arts projects at the initial CPCP open space event on 12th March 2012.

• ‘Social return on investment’ > social impact
• Sustainability > research
• Need for evaluation from the very start of the project, including consultation activity
• Bottom up not top down approach
• 2 evaluations:
• Arts Council data used within business model and internal, reflective
• 3 year project, could be social or political changes and technological changes
• Evaluation change perception of rural areas and challenges to the arts
• Need for a research partner to build sustainable practice