What can the perspective of a Philadelphia-based project evaluator teach us about the importance and benefits of placing people at the center of evaluation-process design?

Using case studies of evaluation projects in Philadelphia’s arts and cultural community, including a dance festival and a neighborhood-led artist residency, author and project evaluator Julie Goodman explores how putting people first acts as a catalyst for positive change within arts and cultural organizations.

By weaving together personal anecdotes, practical guidance, and theoretical insights, A Project Evaluator’s Journey with Philadelphia’s Arts and Cultural Community demonstrates how this approach can create a culture of learning, supports greater accountability, resilience, and impacts the pursuit of artistic excellence and social justice.

Inspiring and empowering readers to embrace human-centered project evaluation, this book is ideal reading for students of, Human-Centered Design, Qualitative Research Design, and Event and Arts Management, as well as Project Evaluators.

Julie Goodman is an Associate Professor of Arts Administration and Museum Leadership, and Department Head of Arts and Entertainment Enterprise at Drexel University.