This study set out to determine the feasibility of policy evaluation in arts administration with the proposed outcome being comprehensive evaluation guidelines appropriate for arts organizations. A theoretical investigation of the nature of the arts and arts organizations established that both can be viewed as open systems with consequent correspondent interrelationships. Based on this premise, it was concluded that evaluation is not only appropriate, but also essential for arts organizations because it becomes a vehicle for feedback into the system. This contributes to creative growth through encouraging flexibility and change. / Policy, as the common ground relating all aspects of the organization, was recommended as the initial focus of evaluation for arts organizations. Not only can this promote better functioning within the organization, it also enables the organization to address and assess recurrent issues in public policy. An open system model for policy was taken as appropriate because it corresponds with the open systems operating in the arts and art organizations. Specific applications such as program, audience or exhibit evaluation, it was suggested, should follow policy evaluations in order to be most effective. / In a review of the evaluation literature, certain evaluation methodologies were found appropriate for the open systems in the arts and arts organizations. Based on the open system theory and qualitative approaches, general guidelines were proposed which would be beneficial in producing effective evaluation in arts organizations. / The serendipitous result of the study was the emergent realization that appropriate evaluation can actually contribute to the creativity of the arts by establishing a milieu of positive energy for the organization within which the art resides. By not only differentiating between the art and the arts organization, but also providing an optimal climate for the art, evaluation becomes a positive force. Further, because the evaluation, itself, takes the open system approach it becomes a creative endeavor compatible with the open system operating in the art and the art organization. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-08, Section: A, page: 2063. / Major Professor: Marylou Kuhn. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1988.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_77831 |
| Contributors | Steiner, Christine., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 221 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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