For decades, arts advocacy has relied on economic impact studies to justify public and private investment. Yet, as funding declines and societal priorities shift, this approach no longer sustains relevance or credibility. This workshop introduces Return on Art™ (ROA), a new policy framework that redefines the impact of the arts through scientifically validated social and emotional outcomes—confidence, belonging, empathy, creativity, and job readiness. Developed from a multi-state pilot involving twenty U.S. arts organizations, ROA provides a data-driven method for measuring the human value of the arts and translating it into funding, policy, and cross-sector investment. Participants will explore how this framework bridges the gap between arts and public policy, aligning creative impact with global leadership goals in education, health, and workforce development. The session combines a presentation and a hands-on demonstration, showing how outcome-based evaluation tools are used to inform public funding models, strengthen institutional credibility, and influence philanthropic and government priorities. Through guided reflection and discussion, attendees will learn how to apply ROA principles within their own institutional or academic contexts—moving from anecdotal storytelling to measurable, evidence-based advocacy. The workshop invites participants to reimagine how arts leadership can redefine public value in the twenty-first century, equipping the sector with a new shared language for relevance, accountability, and sustainability.

Authors:
Angela Meleca, Miami University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Angela Meleca, CEO of Meleca Creative Advisors, is an Arts leader passionate about integrating data tools to measure public value, enhance advocacy, and drive transformation in the arts

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelapmeleca/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

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