Reflections of the Coming Back Out Ball: A dialogic evaluation

Dr Marnie Badham (RMIT University) and Lenine Bourke (independent artist) were engaged to assist All The Queens Men in understanding the significance and meaning of the social art project. Building on their research and practice experience in community partnerships, socially engaged art, and working with vulnerable communities, a narrative research methodology (Liamputtong, 2006) was developed in close consultation with project stakeholders. The primary aim of the evaluation was to support the artists, partners and community to critically reflect on their experiences, explore the value of The Coming Back Out Ball through action research (Wadsworth 2006), and consult stakeholders to plan for the future. All The Queens Men retain the intellectual property rights on the data collected. The evaluation methodology employed multiple methods: - ethnographic site-based observation; - review of key literature and media: political context, research on LGBTI ageing communities, socially engaged arts/cultural development, dance with older people; - extensive pre and post event interviews with Tristan Meecham, All The Queens Men; - the design, support and analysis of volunteer-led semistructured interviews with a range of community, artistic and partners (47 @ 20 minute interviews at event); - access and review of All The Queens Men organisational material including project planning and internal correspondence; - online post event survey with more than (153 respondents of 500 attendees); - live public participatory evaluation conversation at MPavillion (34 participants).