Salisbury International Arts Festival and QinetiQ

The Brief: We were commissioned by Arts and Business to carry out an evaluation of the Salisbury International Arts festival and QinetiQ Apprenticeship Project. The study was based on consultation with key representatives from the partner organisations, the artist, supporting businesses and the apprentices.

The aim of the study was to ascertain if the project had met its objectives:

  • For Salisbury International Arts Festival they were to:
    • to create 1 sculpture
    • to develop sponsorship relationship with major local employer
    • engage with local people through artistic projects
  • For QinetiQ they were to:
    • assess ongoing recruitment
    • raise the profile of the company within the community
    • encourage creative in the workplace

The study method adopted for this study included:

  • Desk research – to review SIAF and QinetiQ’s involvement in the project and review the apprentice learning diaries
  • Consultation – in-depth face to face/telephone interviews with partner organisations, stakeholders and the artist; focus group with the apprentices and an e-mail questionnaire was circulated to the businesses who supported the project.

The key findings indicated that the project had been an overwhelming success and of great value to those involved, with the majority of the objectives being met in full, including:

  • Dragonfly sculpture installed at Solstice Park on 30th May 2007, and launched on 11th June.
  • SIAF built on their existing sponsorship relationship with QinetiQ. In addition they also secured financial support to the ‘in-kind’ value of £14,535 from seven other local businesses and develop strong relationships for the future.
  • The profile of QinetiQ and the Training Station at Boscombe Down are better known amongst the public and staff at the site.
The creativity in the workplace objective was met in full and in some areas exceeded expectations.

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