Program evaluation: A doorway to research in the creative arts therapies

Abstract

This viewpoint highlights how program evaluation can support and encourage research in the creative arts therapies. The arts therapies are often constrained by insufficient funding sources as well as a limited number of researchers who conduct systematic studies. Program evaluation has the potential to help practitioners conduct systematic data collection and analysis to improve clinical and research practice, learn about patient perspectives, engage participants' voices in programming and planning, help generate evidence for funding opportunities, integrate arts-based program evaluation strategies, initiate research-related reflections, and document lessons learned. A framework for engaging in program evaluation is presented and examples are provided to encourage arts therapists to integrate program evaluation into their practice. Some of the parallels and differences between program evaluation and research are highlighted.