Prospect.5 Impact Report

Overview

For the first time in the triennial’s decade-long history, Prospect New Orleans commissioned an external cultural consultant, Bespoke Collective (Bespoke), to deliver an independent impact report on Prospect.5: Yesterday we said tomorrow. Bespoke developed an evaluation framework and designed research tools that assess the economic, social and cultural impact of this unique triennial and synthesized the feedback that was collected.

The primary goals for this research include documenting and assessing:

• The Triennial’s overall economic, social, and cultural impact

• The Triennial’s local, national and international role within the contemporary

  arts scene

• The extent to which this cultural model supports resiliency within the city

• Baseline data related to attendance and highly engaged visitors

In an attempt to avoid instrumentalist thinking, a broad view of impact was taken, considering cultural, social, experiential as well as economic effects of P.5. Bespoke worked in close collaboration with the P.5 team who were “on the ground” circulating and collecting venue and site related data. Our analysis presents five thematic findings, supported by qualitative and quantitative data that illustrates the varied and far reaching impact of P.5. The key impacts include:

• P.5 celebrates the arts as a catalyst for building resiliency

• P.5 champions the work of regional, national, and internationally celebrated artists

  of African descent, reflective of the complex and dynamic cultural history of

  New Orleans

• P.5 supports the NOLA cultural ecosystem, ensuring social and economic benefits

  for local communities

• P.5 activates the city and contributes to arts-based placemaking

• P.5 is a nexus for contemporary art in America and incubates new models of practice

Research Methods

All data and evidence for this report is based on the information gathered from participating artists, core audience members, key stakeholders, partners and the senior leadership of Prospect. Using a variety of research touchpoints, including tracking attendance, a public survey, stakeholder interviews, economic analysis models, and comparative data, the evaluation measures the social, cultural and economic impact of the Triennial. Research touchpoints included:

• Visitor surveys

• One-on-one interviews with partners, funders and collaborators

• Staff and artist reflection sessions

• Visitor counts for exhibition

• Global benchmark and comparable data for biennials and art festivals post over

• COVID-19

• Local and international media coverage