Client
Prisoners with HIV/AIDS Support Action Network (PASAN)

Year Completed
2019

Evaluation Framework & Report

Bespoke created an evaluation framework for the Art to Power Resiliency Project arts programming initiative by the Prisoners with HIV/AIDS Support Action Network. This initiative was designed to provide ex-prisoners with access to arts programming that can help them navigate experiences of trauma and loss. There are currently very few opportunities for positive creative exchange and collaboration for ex-prisoners in Toronto. Research shows that community-engaged arts creation connects vulnerable people with culture, the arts, community life and can support successful reintegration and build resiliency. This project sought to give ex-prisoners meaningful opportunities to recover a sense of personhood beyond stigma and incarceration. 

Our involvement was to support the assessment of the program based on the identified outcomes as well as to gain an outside perspective on what aspects of the program are most effective and where there are opportunities for growth.  Overall we looked to embed the “in situ” program evaluation into the flow of the module as much as possible, to ensure that evaluation does not undermine the inclusive environment being created for participants.