An evaluation of Tura New Music’s regional and remote residencies and touring in 2019
An evaluation of Tura New Music’s regional and remote residencies and touring in 2019 Report
- Author(s): Howell, Gillian, Bartleet, Brydie-Leigh
- Published: 2020
- Publisher: Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium
Abstract: This report presents an evaluation framework created for Tura New Music’s programs in regional and remote Australia and the findings of a summative evaluation of its work in the remote north-west region of Australia known as the Kimberley. Tura New Music has worked in the Kimberley since 2003, bringing cross-genre, contemporary live music and sound art to remote communities through an annual program of concerts, workshops and residencies, presented in partnership with local organisations. The study sought to develop a bespoke evaluation framework grounded in the experiences, priorities and aspirations of the communities of the Kimberley with whom Tura works. The dominant themes in the data gathered over three fieldwork engagements in the region were translated into the domains and subdomains of the framework. Monitoring tools were then developed and implemented in the field during the final fieldwork engagement (June 2019), using indicators drawn directly from the qualitative data. Across its three stages, the research incorporated mixed methods, including in-depth interviews, focus groups, participant observation and surveys. The resulting seven domains capture the diverse contributions of Tura’s work: Domain 1: Personal wellbeing Domain 2: Family and Community Domain 3: Identity and Culture Domain 4: Aesthetic enrichment Domain 5: Creativity stimulated Domain 6: Capacities and Connections Domain 7: Two-way Together with the subdomains, they offer an accessible schema of measurable or trackable outcomes within the specific music experiences that Tura offers. The findings show that Tura New Music brings distinctive musical opportunities to remote communities in terms of the instruments it features, the musical ideas and content, and its commitment to collaborations with First Nations musicians, including local and nationally-acclaimed artists. Its concerts, workshops and residencies can enhance feelings of place-connection and may help to strengthen community bonds, connecting new music and sound art with the local environment, providing a spotlight for local musicians, and even drawing people together across community boundaries. Its focus on contemporary and new music and sound art is highly valued, and its concerts promote relaxing and peaceful feelings for many people, while also being stimulating and challenging. In a context where many people live in the moment, Tura’s music events and residency activities in particular can ‘shift the energy’ of the town and create memorable experiences that the community continues to talk about after the tour or residency has concluded. Tura New Music is seen as a valued and reliable partner and collaborator. Trusted, respectful, and longstanding relationships between Tura personnel and the communities with which Tura New Music works are a critical component of Tura’s achievements in this work, central to its continued growth and therefore to any efforts to scale the work. A concern for communities is how Tura New Music’s activities and contributions can help to support the ongoing provision of music opportunities. The evaluation framework and monitoring tools have been designed to track the ways that capacities, resources, and connections for music and creativity evolve over time in tandem with (and therefore indirectly or directly connected to) Tura’s inputs. Tura’s flexibility of approach, engagement with local strengths and aspirations, and commitment to relationship building are important factors in its capacity to catalyse increased music provision, capacities, and resources for music in remote and regional communities. Mapping these developments over time will enable Tura to better understand its potential to strengthen the music capabilities of communities through its work.
- Urls: https://www.tura.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Tura-Tracks-Evaluation-Report.pdf
- Publisher Location: Brisbane