You are here:> Home > About Us > Resources and info sheets > Proof of the Pudding – toolkit for participatory artists
Knowledge Bank
Book / Article / Info Sheet, Information Sheet / Publication
Proof of the Pudding – toolkit for participatory artists
Tools to help tell your story, attract new partners for your work and access funding
Proof of the Pudding cover

We are delighted to introduce you to this toolkit produced in conjunction with ArtWorks Alliance, the strategic network for participatory arts.

You can download Parts One, Two and Three here.

Proof of the Pudding: Part One is a resource for artists to help them demonstrate the value and impact of participatory arts and develop partnerships for funding work.

Individual artists are often limited in the grant programmes to which they can apply. Working with partners, either through joint fundraising or as part of a commissioning relationship, can open up all sorts of new income generation opportunities. Partners may be arts partners or non-arts partners, for example in the community development, criminal justice, education, or health and care sectors. Whoever they are, they need to know – and you as an artist need to show – what difference participatory arts makes to people and how what you do can align with what they’re trying to achieve.

This toolkit offers some existing evidence about the impact of participatory arts, with signposting to additional resources. There are also some guide ideas so you can start to build our own evidence bank. 

Proof of the Pudding Part One has three sections:
  1. Insight: Locating your work in a wider context
  2. Impacts: Telling the difference through ‘stats and stories’ 
  3. Images: Showing the difference through pictures.

Proof of the Pudding: Part Two 
A Marketing & Communications pack supporting you to get your message across.

Proof of the Pudding: Part Three 
A set of Case Studies contributed by members of ArtWorks Alliance or members of the individual alliance organisations. 

Toolkit credits:
This toolkit has been developed by People Dancing with funding from Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy sector innovation fund. Created and written by, Mary Schwarz, Rob Lindsay, Stephanie Brown and Ruth Lee. We would like to thank all the artists and organisations who contributed to the case studies, in particular Kiz Crosbie & Zoe Anderson at Mortal Fools, Sara Rose, Kaja Nisha Patel, John Whall at Derby Quad, the Dance staff at UCLAN, Rachel Dunlop & Justine Wheatley at Peak and Hannah Jenkins at Community Music Wales. Special thanks to David Johnson at Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy.

Further CPD: 
People Dancing has produced an online learning programme: Developing income streams for participatory arts practice. The programme is FREE to members of People Dancing and can be purchased by non-members. Webinars created with support from Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy accompany this toolkit and can be accessed here for FREE.