Key Learnings
from the Family Arts Campaign’s Network Ambassador Programme

What We Learnt

The Benefit of Collaboration 

The power of a network of organisations with shared aims can have a positive impact on funding applications, donations of time in-kind and marketing reach.

Diversifying Family Audiences, Locally, Together

Where ambassadors co-ordinated the network to engage with more diverse families, or drew out the experience of a specific network member, the network format provided the opportunity to share experiences, reflect and build confidence and increased understanding of these family’s needs.

Combine Local Adaptation with the Big Picture

The combination of a local network, co-ordinated by a local ambassador, hosted at a local organisation meant that networks evolved to their specific local needs and circumstances, the national funding of these roles through Family Arts Campaign allowed joined up sharing, learning and opportunities to identify replicate elements that were appropriate at a national level.

The Power of Non-Arts Partnerships

Within networks, including non-arts organisations that work with specific groups of underserved families, can help create a joined-up approach to increase meaningful reach. This can be a huge benefit for small arts organisation members with otherwise limited resources for outreach.

A Sector Wide Challenge: Data Collection and Evaluation

Consistent and quality data collection and evaluation results are still extremely challenging to gather and analyse across a network group, particularly where members combine organisations with little or no experience of data gathering systems with others who have established models, that are likely to have a variety of different definitions for ‘new’ families, family groups etc.

When Working Together, a Little Can Go a Long Way

A small amount of additional resource (our model is one day per week) with a remit for driving momentum, sharing best practise and co-ordinating joint activity across a network of organisations with shared aims, can make a big impact. Add a pot of seed funding for all network members to benefit from and it’s a winning combination.

Reports

Summary Report

This summary shares the programme’s outcomes and indicators and the key successes and learnings over the three-year period.

Key Learnings and Findings

This report explores the key themes that have emerged through Family Arts Campaign’s three-year Network Ambassador programme, including significant changes, areas of development and challenges.

Top Tips for starting a Local Family Arts Network

This document shares practical tips for establishing and leading a network that were developed with the support of the Family Arts Network Ambassadors.