Evaluation of Research Aims


After careful consideration, following my transfer feedback and reflection of the progress of my research, I have decided to adjust my research aims to better align with the evolving scope of my study. The original aims are as follows:


  • To identify how the public arts programme enhances well-being​ 

  • To demonstrate how the arts programme upholds its principles​ 

  • To document the renovation​ using the theatre’s own principles to create a taxonomy of practice applied to my own practice and community workshops 

  • To clarify how visual arts sit within a performing arts setting, especially where the theatre's renovations ​are concerned 



The first aim/objective can only really be evaluated on completion of the public art programme. There have been loads of delays in the commissioning process for the artworks. Currently, the artists are in the making stages of the programme. To date, I have not received any update on the progress of this but hope, once the ethics amendment has been accepted, that the case study paperwork will provide the data I require. Following a discussion with my supervisors, I feel that the data from the case studies needs to be broader: not just the artists commenting on their own artworks but Theatr Clwyd’s point of view, Studio Three Sixty’s opinion and then the wider community that the theatre serves. 


I am happy to leave this aim as it stands. I think that as everything progresses, I should get the data needed to fully identify how the programme has enhanced well-being. 


The second aim/objective asks to demonstrate how the arts programme upholds its principles. This is in regard to the theatre’s aims for the arts programme to create artworks that are sustainably created, playful, involve community engagement and enhance well-being. Again, this can only be effectively evaluated on the completion of the programme. As far as I’m aware, the artworks are set to be made and in place by February 2025. Once I have the data from the case study forms, I will be able to assess and hopefully demonstrate how the theatre has upheld its principles. 


Again, I am happy to leave this aim as it stands. Once I have the data I should be able to address this aim. I want to use a structured approach to demonstrate how the theatre has upheld its principles, including clear evidence and examples. I will assess the core principles of the public arts programme, hopefully provide evidence of its implementation through specific examples through the commission case studies, look at data from the community groups on their feedback of the artworks produced and then hopefully have a conclusion. It might be worth separating out each principle to investigate this:


  • Investigate the impact of sustainability in the public arts programme

    • To examine how sustainable practices within the arts programme at Theatr Clwyd influences the well-being and quality of life of participants and wider community

    • This could include the materials used, production practices or art projects that promote awareness of environmental issues


  • Explore the role of playfulness/joy in the public art programme

    • To investigate how playfulness/joy within the public art programme at Theatr Clwyd contributes to enhanced well-being

    • Focussing on the playful elements of the artworks commissioned - interactive installations, workshops etc


  • Evaluating the effectiveness of community engagement within the public arts programme

    • To assess the strategies used by Theatr Clwyd, Studio Three Sixty and the artists in the public arts programme to engage with the local community and its impact on collective well-being

    • Focussing on the different methods used to involve different community groups - participatory engagement, community driven art initiatives or community collaboration in the making of an artwork


The third aim/objective is to document the renovation​ using the theatre’s own principles to create a taxonomy of practice applied to my own practice and community workshops. A taxonomy of practice is essentially a way to classify different elements, methods and processes that make up my ceramic art practice. For documenting the renovations I will be looking at materials, techniques, processes, concepts/intentions and context. I have categorised each stage of the renovations - preparation and planning, demolition, structural work, finish and installation of artworks. I have been documenting this through photos, sketches and notes, describing how these stages relate to my ceramic processes. I have been drawing parallels between my own practice and the renovation processes and principles of the theatre. I have also been looking at the commissions. I was going to be creating the tile commission with other artists but that has fallen through. However, I am still looking at the tiles as they have significant historical importance to the theatre and are listed and have been protected. 


I am happy with this aim and is the one I have mostly been able to progress. 


The last aim/objective is to clarify how visual arts sit within a performing arts setting, especially where the theatre's renovations ​are concerned. I have not made any headway with this aim and so I think I need to rethink this aim with my supervisory team and change this one. 


Here are some of the ideas I have had for an additional aim to replace the last one:


  • Examine the relationship between art-making and well-being

    • To explore how the active participation in art making through Theatr Clwyd’s public arts programme affects the physical and mental well-being of participants. I could look at how different forms of participation, such as workshops, hands-on art activities etc, provide well-being benefits.


  • Analyse the long-term impact of Theatr Clwyd’s public arts programme on well-being/quality of life

    • To investigate the long-term effects of the arts programme on the quality of life of the community the theatre serves. I could look at how the artworks produced enhance quality of life, sense of cultural identity and connection with the local community and how that could change or stay the same over time. Without extending the research timeline I would not be able to fully assess the actual impact over time only what it could be perceived to be. 


  • To understand the role of art spaces in fostering social resilience

    • To examine how Theatr Clwyd’s public arts programme acts as a space for fostering social resilience through cultural engagement and collaborative creativity. I could focus on how the theatre, as a space for public art, is becoming a place for building social support networks; especially in times of societal crisis thus contributing to community resilience.


  • Assess the contribution of the public art to the aesthetic environment of Theatr Clwyd

    • To investigate how the visual arts and spatial elements of Theatr Clwyd’s public arts programme contributes to the aesthetic quality of the theatre’s building and surrounding area. I could look at the art installations etc and how they transform public spaces to create a more vibrant and engaging environment that enhances the daily experience of the local community when visiting the theatre. 


I need to discuss these options with my supervisory team and decide which direction is best to take. 

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