Evaluation practices in participatory arts in international development: Findings of a systematic literature review

Abstract

The task of international development is to improve human well-being, with priority placed on the reduction of poverty and suffering. Every day, 2.7 billion people earn less than $2.50, 900 million people go to bed hungry and HIV/AIDS has tragic consequences for another 6,000 people (Clarke 2013, p. 219; Millennium Project n.d.). Participatory arts initiatives, including theater, dance, music, visual arts, creative writing and video making, are increasingly used to contribute to desired development outcomes, such as the Millennium Development Goals, which address hunger, universal education, gender equity, child health, maternal health, HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability and global p..