Image: Spring Awakening 2016, Tracy Schramm
“The project Tandi delivered for the Australian Theatre for Young People was, simply put, a game changer for the company. The insights delivered, the nuance and strategic thinking in it’s findings, they set the company on a reinvigorated course for it’s future. ”
Youth theatre & wellbeing
An Impact Evaluation for Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP)
In 2016, ATYP commissioned Patternmakers to evaluate the impact of youth theatre on young peoples’ mental health and wellbeing.
Patternmakers worked with ATYP leadership, facilitators and staff to co-design the methodology. Guided by the group, we interviewed a range of stakeholders, including past participants and their families, service providers, staff and artists, before conducting a survey of 1,200 participants and stakeholders.
The results were striking: 89% of respondents agreed that their experiences with ATYP positively impacted their confidence levels. 94% reported positive impacts on their overall wellbeing.
The research also showed that ATYP is helping Indigenous young people connect with Elders in their community and their culture.
The findings were published in the media, including the Sydney Morning Herald and 2DayFM, and the story reached an audience of over 7 million people.
Patternmakers and ATYP co-presented a conference paper at the 2017 Arts and Health Conference, held at the Art Gallery of NSW.