A new research project using economic methods to evaluate the social and economic value of arts and humanities activities has begun at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, with the award of an Impact Assessment Fellowship worth £135,000 to Professor Ken Willis. Jointly funded by The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and Arts Council England, this is the third three-year Fellowship to focus on finding and sharing new ways of demonstrating the value, relevance and benefits of the publicly-funded arts and the effect that attending at arts events has on audiences.
Last year, awards were made to Professor Oliver Bennett and Eleonora Belfiore of the Centre for Cultural Policy Studies at the University of Warwick, and Professor David Nicholls and Dr Andrew Pinnock at the University of Southampton Department of Music. Yvonne Hawkins, Director of Knowledge and Evaluation at the AHRC, said ?The AHRC and Arts Council England receive and distribute public money?As such we are accountable to the Government, Parliament and the wider public for the effective use of those resources. The work of these Fellows will evaluate the value and relevance of the arts and humanities and research-related activities, providing useful insights and methods for those involved in Impact Assessment in whatever field.?
Published: 09-05-2005