Evaluation of Ambition for Excellence for Arts Council England
Ambition for Excellence (AfE) was a £35.2 million programme funded by Arts Council England which supported 67 arts projects led by 66 organisations across England.
The programme aimed to catalyse a step-change in ambition, innovation and practice within arts organisations in England. It sought to support organisations, including some outside the Arts Council’s National Portfolio (NPO), to develop a platform for future sustainability. It had a particular focus on digital innovation and forms of practice including outdoor arts.
The evaluation focused on understanding the extent to which Ambition for Excellence had met its aims and objectives and left a longer-term impact and legacy in line with the Arts Council’s strategic ambitions; the development of strong cultural places; talent and leadership development; the creation of high-quality new work and the building of an international dimension to high quality arts practice.
The evaluation research involved an extensive review of literature, project plans and individual project evaluations; online surveys among participating institutions and creative professionals; an extensive programme of stakeholder interviews with institutional leaders, creative professionals, Arts Council England leaders and portfolio managers and with external stakeholders in Local Authorities and funding partners.
Finding from the evaluation:
Ambition for Excellence evaluation report
More about AfE:
Findings from the published report available on the Arts Council, England website.
