To understand or quantify ‘value’, the critical component is consistency. Relying on standard outputs like attendance numbers or box office revenue is the consistent default for many. Still, these figures don’t reveal the true value that we might implicitly feel or experience.

Between 2011–2014, across Australia and the United Kingdom, a group of economists bought together artists, academics, administrators, policy-makers and practitioners to ask the question – “could we agree on a set of qualities about ‘culture’, using shared definitions?” To the surprise of many participants, the answer was yes! We created a pilot program to test this theory and subsequently released a sector-led metric framework capable of quantifying some of these intangible values of culture.

With the methodology in place, it became apparent an online evaluation platform was required to implement the framework. We built a prototype survey tool that could consistently collect data, then aggregate the analysis to create an industry-wide understanding of value.

In 2013, our dream of a unified value-based evaluation approach was shared with the world. We formed an independent company and launched the Culture Counts Evaluation Platform. With a growing number of users eager to implement evaluation in their work, we continue to build new features and tools based on their feedback using this approach in the real world.

Much like culture, value is constantly evolving. Collaboration with partners is key to creating a living evaluation framework, working across sectors and practices to identify common needs and solutions that would support an entire evaluation ecosystem.

Our ongoing research and development have included many partners along the way, including: Arts Council England, DLGSC (WA), Creative New Zealand, Create NSW, Create Victoria, Arts Queensland, Cultural Development Network, Canada Council for the Arts, Public Libraries Australia, Australian Library and Information Association, the Wellcome Trust, the Ian Potter Foundation and Nesta.

We always strive to work with new partners to ensure Culture Counts remains a relevant, comprehensive and powerful evaluation solution.