While many museums are able to evaluate the economic impact they have on their communities, they struggle to showcase social impact. Come and learn more about what social impact is and hear from different organizations currently undergoing evaluations.

1. Moderator:
Tanya Andrews, Children’s Museum of Tacoma
Presenters:
Emily Johnson, Utah Division of Arts and Museums
Johanna Jones, Oakland Museum of California
Alyssa Tongue, Children’s Museum of Tacoma

3. Results Highlights
Incredibly positive results!
• 67 of the 95 measured
indicators showed statistically
significant positive change.
• Most meaningful aspect of
participants’ experiences was
spending quality time with their
family.
• Participants were surprised at
Thanksgiving Point’s quality,
size, beauty, and variety of
experiences.
7…
Percentage of the 95 indicators that
were significantly changed

7. Western Museums Association 2018
Johanna Jones
Measuring OMCA’s Social Impact

8. To inspire all Californians to create a more vibrant
future for themselves and their communities
Our vision is to be the heart of our city, serving as a
forum for dialogue, social connection, and
community expression.
OMCA Mission & Vision

13. Internal Motivations
• Belief that we make a difference
• Audience profile
• Make a case for certain kinds of projects
External Motivations
• Demonstrate impact to the city of Oakland
• Opportunity via James Irvine Foundation
• Funding landscape
OMCA Social Impact Measurement

14. To Date Five Year Process:
YR1: Research & information gathering
YR2: Revised Strategic Plan and Theory of Change
YR3: Draft SI “statement” & stakeholder/expert feedback
YR4: SI revision & development of measures
YR5: Data collection, refinement, & measurement
OMCA Social Impact Timeline

15. Our purpose is The Mission
The problem we’re tackling is Social Fragmentation
If we’re successful in our work, the effect (impact) we’ll
have on our community is Greater Social Cohesion
And we’ll know that we’re having that impact when
The Outcomes
OMCA Mission & Social Impact

16. inputs
Greater social
cohesion – greater
connection, trust
and understanding
between people
& social groups
Measuring OMCA’s Social Impact
activities outputs outcomes impact
AT OMCA . . .
1. I feel welcome
2. I see my stories
reflected
3. I connect with
other people
4. I express my
ideas & am
open to those of
others
Attendance
Demographics
NPS score
Membership
Donors
Revenue
# Programs
Exhibitions
Programs
Outreach
Fundraisers
Events
Collections
Staff
Facilities
Ideas
Community

17. Visitor Exit Survey
• 9 scales (score 8)
• 5-point “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”
• Quantitative data
• Refinement, preliminary data to test reliability/validity
Exhibition/Program Evaluations
• 1 behavior (talking)
• 2 standard open-ended questions
• Qualitative and quantitative data
OMCA Social Impact Measurement

18. (What value, if any, does this program have for visitors? For
the city of Oakland?) I think it’s a place for the community to
come. Just the range of people I saw—families, . . . singles,
older couples, all races and lifestyles—just a wide range
which means, to me, community. . . . A real sense of
community is what I felt here tonight. There’s music and
food and drink. You can relax. You feel like you’re with
family.
OMCA Social Impact Evidence

19. (What value, if any, do you think this exhibition has for
visitors? For the city of Oakland?) The city of Oakland, with
recent events, I think it’s a timely exhibit. It’s a way for the
community to meet . . . in a positive way. For people in the
community to be interested in learning more about each
other, to give them a chance to enjoy being together with
dancing and music, and to better understand each other.
OMCA Social Impact Evidence

20. Thank You

24. Play to Learn has
helped me
become more
aware of my
child’s
development, and
has helped me
to find learning
opportunities in
everyday things.“

26. Class Sign-In
Demographic Survey
Participant Impact Survey
Instructor Debrief

28. Moderator:
Tanya Andrews, Children’s Museum of Tacoma
Presenters:
Emily Johnson, Utah Division of Arts and Museums
Johanna Jones, Oakland Museum of California
Alyssa Tongue, Children’s Museum of Tacoma