Creative Evaluation and Engagement: Evaluation for Transformation

By Nora F. Murphy Johnson, PhD

In a world brimming with complexity and constant change, the approach of Creative Evaluation and Engagement (CE&E) emerges as a transformative framework, designed to address social justice issues through a unique blend of developmental, principles-focused, and arts-infused evaluation methods. This comprehensive methodology isn’t just a collection of buzzwords; it’s a carefully crafted approach that combines various aspects to create meaningful social transformation.

Understanding CE&E

A. Rafael Johnson and I developed CE&E when we realized the benefit of putting his training and expertise (the arts and arts-based methods) together with mine (developmental and principles-focused evaluation). Speaking for myself, I know that I was not trained to support transformative efforts. Programs? Maybe. But the harder change? Not so much. Liberation, I am sure, has never been achieved through randomized controlled trials, peer-reviewed journal articles, or powerpoint transformation. Art, however, has the power to engage and change hearts, minds, and spirits.

We spent a few years working together and, with the gift of the rights to the first Creative and Evaluation book from Michael Quinn Patton, we found a framework…