Arts organisations and practitioners are always looking for ways to communicate their value, and this has become critical in the current context.
I thought it might be helpful to share some tools and advice we’ve been working on that could be helpful if you are trying to build a case for support, a case to demonstrate the sector’s value, or a case to illustrate the impact this is all having on lives, livelihoods and culture itself.
I have developed these resources in our work as the Social Impact Evaluation Partner for Creative Victoria. The resources include tips and advice to help you present data and communicate findings in a compelling way. The resources relate specifically to evaluation findings but could apply to any research or advocacy efforts.
Check out the resources here.
Here are my 5 top tips if you find yourself trying to mount an argument using data.
1. Tell a story, then back it with data
I’m a big advocate for using data to help make decisions and build a case for support. But the reality is, no one has ever been able to persuade anyone about anything relying on data alone. If that were possible, data that points to the billions of dollars the creative industries contributes to the economy would be all we need, surely?
Our best shot is to try to mobilise people emotionally and then back it up with data. You don’t have to choose between talking about why we, as a society, value the arts versus the ‘value’ it generates.
Do both. We call this “narrative plus numbers.”
Data and stories are just one tool in your advocacy tool-box of course. You also have to think politically and draw in your influential allies, seek lobbying expertise etc.
But if you are going to invest effort in gathering data, think about communicating the story the data is telling you. Who better to tell stories than the storytellers? Persuade hearts as well as minds.
2. Consider the kind of information and method of presentation that will cut through
There are many ways you can present results. Fact sheets, content for social media campaigns, video, articles, press releases etc. Think about the ones that will gain most traction with those you are seeking to influence.
When deciding on what data to include, don’t only think about what you consider necessary to make a convincing case. Think about how other people need to use the information too e.g. what kind of information do arts bureaucrats require to convince their treasury colleagues that something is worth pursuing?
By articulating who you want to influence, the kind of information they are likely to need and respond to, it will become clear what to spend your time on.
3. Use comparison data to give you findings meaning
Comparison data helps give meaning and context for your data. For example, if you were trying to illustrate the popularity of the performing arts in Victoria you could say something like this:
“The most recent available data from Live Performance Australia shows that there were approx. 7.9 million attendances at performing arts events in Victoria across the 2018 calendar year.”
That’s pretty impressive. But what if you were to say something like this instead.
“The most recent available data from Live Performance Australia shows that there were approx. 7.9 million attendances at performing arts events in Victoria across the 2018 calendar year. That’s about the same as national attendances at AFL games recorded during the 2018 official pre-season games, home and away season, finals series and AFWL season combined (approx. 7.8m).”
Everyone knows how popular going to the footy is in Victoria. The comparison gives the statistic more meaning, makes it more memorable and therefore easier to recall.
Be sure to compare apples with apples though. If I were going to use the comparison data in the above example, I would check how the AFL records their attendances to double-check that it can meaningfully be compared with Live Performance Australia’s methodology.
4. Use the free and low-cost tools out there to create engaging presentations
There are lots of handy free and low-cost tools out there to make your presentation of data more engaging. Free explainer videos, infographic tools, graphic design social media campaign templates and many more. Find the ones that you like and work best for your needs.
Free/low cost graphic design software: provides great adaptable templates for reports, infographics, social media infographic templates etc.
Two I have used in the past are:
Explainer video software: provides great templates for designing video presentations
One I have used in the past is:
5. Be ethical, transparent and honest
This might seem obvious but it Is worth saying; when using data or research findings to try to make a case it is really important to be ethical. So, for example:
– Don’t cherry pick only positive results
– Be accurate and transparent
– Don’t overstate your data
– Maintain confidentiality and anonymity
– Don’t use disempowering language when referring to people e.g. labelling people as “disadvantaged”
– Check yourself for bias, or ask a “critical friend” to check for you
– Don’t confuse advocacy with evaluation activity – advocacy should never drive evaluation design or reporting. Evaluation helps you improve, and advocacy has to be based on truth to be believable, robust and effective.