Rural Engagement Arts Programme (REAP) - Round 2 Evaluation

Summary of findings

The key findings from an analysis of applications, End of Project Reports and submitted evaluation reports are that:

1. All grantees showed their project reduced isolation or promoted social inclusion (R1 100%). 92% of grantees said that all or part of the project was cross-community (R1 86%). 83% grantees said that all or part of the project was intergenerational (R1 54%). 64% grantees said the project included a public launch or celebration (R1 48%).
2. All grantees showed their project enhanced the wellbeing of participants or audience members (R1 100%). 60% of grantees said that the project included specific support for participants’ mental health (R1 60%).
3. 77% of the grantees said that volunteers helped to deliver the project (R1 84%). The total number of volunteers involved in the projects was 622 (R1 622).
4. 15% of grantees said the project addressed local environmental issues (R1 13%).
5. 98% of the grantees said that artists were involved in delivering the project, with a total 523 artists employed (R1 95%, 308). 74% of these live in a rural area (R1 73%).
6. 89% of grantees said their project included artist-led workshops with local people (R1 87%). 34% of these said that 90-100% of their participants attended three or more workshops (R1 56%). All grantees said their project developed the skills of participants or audience members (R1 97%).
7. 74% of grantees said that the project was free to all participants (R1 78%). 28% of grantees said that free transport was provided to grantees (R1 37%).
8. 83% of grantees showed the grant allowed their organisation to deliver higher quality artistic work than they had delivered previously (R1 92%).
9. 21% of grantees said that the activity included taking participants to a show or exhibition in an arts venue (R1 19%).
10. 58% of grantees said their projects were new (R1 76%). 72% of grantees said they wouldn't have been able to deliver any of the project without ACNI funding (R1 79%).
11. All grantees said the REAP programme was a good fit with the project they wanted to deliver (R1 98%). 96% of grantees said the application form was easy to understand. 98% of grantees said they received the support from ACNI that they needed to complete their application (R1 97%). 100% of grantees said they would apply to REAP again (R1 100%).
12. 83% of grantees said the project increased their organisation’s interest in delivering arts projects in rural areas (R1 78%).

In conclusion, round 2 continued the success of REAP. In addition, it has broadened the artform and perhaps increased the connection between communities and between generations. The main challenge remains, of how to manage the demand in a way that builds the arts infrastructure in rural areas so that the considerable achievements of the programme can be sustained.