Engaging Communities through the Arts: Lessons from a Three-Year Evaluation of the Community Piano Program

This paper presents findings and insights from a three-year formative and summative evaluation of the Gilmore Piano Community Program, a community-based music education initiative focused on access, expression, and inclusion through the arts. The evaluation used mixed methods including interviews, observations, surveys, and document review to assess the program’s impact on students, families, teaching artists, and community partners. Key findings highlight how sustained engagement, culturally responsive instruction, and local partnerships contributed to both artistic development and broader community connectedness. This session will explore lessons learned about evaluating arts-based programs in ways that center stakeholder voice, promote youth engagement, and align evaluation practices with community values. Attendees will gain insights into the role of participatory methods and arts-integrated evaluation strategies in long-term, relationship-centered programming. This session is especially relevant for evaluators working with arts, education, or community-based programs.