Valuable knowledge: Gesa Birnkraut's new book for evaluation in culture

Valuable knowledge: Gesa Birnkraut's new book for evaluation in culture

Gesa Birnkraut has created an important work in the field of cultural policy and funding in 2024 with her third edition of the book "Evaluation in Cultural Business", published by Springer VS. On 227 pages, she explores the question of how evaluations can contribute to strengthening cultural institutions and promoting more effectively. It illuminates various aspects of evaluation in cultural contexts, including use for this in cultural policy, in cultural businesses themselves and in organizational advice.

In the introduction, pear herb treats basic definitions and standards of evaluation. It makes it clear that evaluation practice in cultural support internationally can vary very differently. She particularly critically analyzes developments in the Netherlands, where the evaluation of cultural institutions not only influences the funding, but also had negative effects on the institutions themselves.

growing need for evaluation instruments

The author finds that the use of evaluation methods in cultural companies is gradually increasing, which in the past was rather sporadically the case. Birn herb attributes this to an increased discussion about the legitimation of public cultural companies. In the 1990s, the focus was primarily on the efficient use of tax funds, while today there are increasing questions about the meaning and value of culture in society. It discusses topics such as access to cultural offers and the relevant contribution to an open society.

A central element in Birnkraut's argument is the "Impact Value Chain" model. This concept not only refers to the resources that flow into cultural work, but also to the immediate (output) as well as long -term (outcome and impact) effects that can have cultural offers on individuals and society. Birn cabbage illuminates the social role of culture and its ability to initiate social change, and pleads for cultural companies to make their specific contributions transparent.

Surprisingly, the discussion about evaluation in other areas, such as education and the social sector, has already progressed significantly. Birnkraut speaks from his own experience about the reservations that exist in cultural companies against evaluative methods. Fear is often expressed to make artistic quality measurable, which has proven to be problematic due to the past, especially if the promotion was made dependent on the evaluation of the quality. Your research shows that there are other approaches that do not focus exclusively on the quality of art, but put the social effects of cultural institutions in the foreground.

pear herb presents various quantitative and qualitative key figures that can offer important approaches to measurement of effects beyond common metrics such as utilization figures or self -financing rates. In addition, it suggests cross -sector standards such as the goals for the sustainable development of the United Nations in order to offer cultural companies a framework for their evaluations.

Another aspect of the book is the connection to business instruments - as long as risk management or sustainability strategies. Pear herb emphasizes that every initiative can run into nothing without clear and measurable goals. The evaluation of the objectives could ensure sustainable implementation and constant improvement in cultural companies.

Overall, "Evaluation in Cultural Business" represents an important tool for institutions that want to optimize and expand their evaluation strategies. This offers book -related tips in particular for cultural companies that have to face new challenges and will surely encounter lively interest in the industry. For further information and an in-depth analysis of this topic, The article from www.kulturmanagement.net comprehensive insights.