Designing Systemic Workshops That Actually Work
Workshops shouldn’t be one-off moments—they should spark lasting change. Here’s how we co-create systemic workshops that build capacity, shift thinking,...
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We support the creative, cultural and education partners through a blend of consultation, facilitation, documentation and evaluation.
We aim to help our clients develop robust creative strategies, community consultation and evaluation frameworks through a holistic process. We pride ourselves on providing in-depth feedback and recommendations based on deep listening and systemic development ideas.
Back Row facilitates, documents and evaluates creative, cultural and educational engagement projects. We use creative and traditional approaches to evaluation and articulate the impact of projects. We aim to be a present and engaged audience, sitting in the back row, observing and listening wholly.
We provide creative systemic workshops, evaluation training, and arts interventions in collaboration with local communities and organisations. At the heart of our facilitation is a desire to engage participants through experiential formats and ensure that workshop content is practical and easy to implement.
We use participatory methods to research and understand impact, amplify underrepresented voices, and inform strategic development in the creative, cultural and charitable sectors.
At Back Row, we combine rigorous research insights with creative expertise to deliver advice and reports that are as strategic as they are innovative. Whether you’re a small organisation looking to establish your presence and define your impact, or an established cultural or heritage organisation aiming to stay ahead, we meet you where you are and work with you to genuinely understand your long-term impact.
We work shoulder-to-shoulder with partners, not just for them. Our process is open, responsive and built on trust.
We centre communities, artists and young people in everything we do, ensuring that creative work is relevant, resonant, and rooted in lived experience.
Our evaluation is rigorous, inclusive, and always transparent. We don’t just measure impact, we help shape it, using insight to drive meaningful change.
From evaluating national arts programmes to amplifying youth voice in local creative initiatives, our work spans research, strategy and storytelling.
Every good story starts with a question. Here are some we hear often—along with thoughtful answers to help you feel informed, inspired, and ready to connect.
We work with a diverse range of creative, cultural, and educational partners across the UK. This includes small community arts groups, local authorities, national heritage sites, and charitable organisations. Whether you are a sole practitioner or a large institution, we adapt our consultancy and evaluation services to meet your specific scale and goals.
Participatory evaluation is a collaborative approach where the people involved in a project, such as participants, artists, or community members, play an active role in the research process. Instead of simply being subjects of a study, they help define what success looks like. This method ensures our reports are rooted in lived experience and amplify underrepresented voices.
A robust cultural strategy provides a clear roadmap for your creative ambitions. We help you develop frameworks that improve community engagement, embed youth voices, and support workforce development. This strategic clarity makes it easier to secure funding, manage resources, and demonstrate long-term social impact.
Yes, we provide tailored workshops and short courses designed for educators, researchers, and arts professionals. Our training covers creative methods for evaluation, facilitation techniques, and systemic interventions. We ensure all content is practical, experiential, and easy to implement within your specific professional context.
The duration depends on the scope and complexity of the project. A short-term intervention or workshop series may take a few weeks, while a national impact evaluation can span several months or the entire duration of a programme. We recommend contacting us early in your project planning phase so we can embed evaluation from the start
