Intrinsic Impact is powered by WolfBrown, a leading provider of market research, consulting, and evaluation services to cultural organizations and philanthropic foundations in the US, UK, and Australia. At the heart of our work is the belief that every human being has a unique creative voice of intrinsic worth and that every community has a responsibility to awaken, nurture, and sustain its cultural capital. The guiding philosophy of our work is engagement – engaging nonprofit leadership, their funders, and stakeholders in honest discussions about effectiveness and value, engaging audiences and visitors in deeper and more meaningful experiences, and engaging whole communities in the bold act of envisioning their future.
History of Intrinsic Impact
2006
2007
2008
2009
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2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2006
Major University Presenters consortium commission
An initial attempt to assess the intrinsic impacts of live performances was commissioned by the Major University Presenters consortium in the U.S. in 2006. The resulting report, Assessing the Intrinsic Impacts of a Live Performance, by Alan Brown and Jennifer L. Novak, served as the basis for numerous subsequent research efforts.
2007
Assessing the Intrinsic Impacts of a Live Performance report
Assessing the Intrinsic Impacts of a Live Performance, by Alan Brown and Jennifer L. Novak, is published, serving as the basis for numerous subsequent research efforts.
2008
Scotland: Creative Nation conference
Alan Brown presents the results of the Major University Presenters consortium study at the Scotland: Creative Nation conference in 2008. Listen to an audio recording of Alan’s presentation.
2009
Australia Council for the Arts debate
In 2009, the Australia Council for the Arts hosted a debate about the role of impact assessment in artistically-driven organizations, with Alan Brown, Kate Champion and Bruce Gladwin (both artistic directors in Sydney). View the video here.
2010
Theatre Bay Area national study
In 2010, Theatre Bay Area, a service organization for theatres in the San Francisco Bay Area, received over $200,000 in funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts to pilot test an early version of Intrinsic Impact with 18 theatres in six cities across the United States.
2011
Liverpool Arts Regeneration Consortium research report
In June 2011, the Liverpool Arts Regeneration Consortium released a research report by WolfBrown and Baker Richards, How Audiences and Visitors are Transformed by Cultural Experiences in Liverpool. The study investigated the intrinsic impacts of programs offered by eight Liverpool arts organizations, spanning the visual and performing arts.
2012
Counting New Beans book
Theatre Bay Area commissioned WolfBrown to undertake a large-scale pilot study of audiences at 58 different productions mounted by 18 theatres in six U.S. cities. The resulting book, Counting New Beans: Intrinsic Impact and the Value of Art, was released by Theatre Bay Area in early 2012 and summarizes a great deal of thinking about intrinsic impact. The book can be purchased here. The WolfBrown research report, including technical appendices not available in the book, may be downloaded for free.
2013
Intrinsic Impact launches
In 2013, with updated software and expanded staffing, Intrinsic Impact became available to the wider arts community.
2014
Intrinsic Impact in high demand from theatres, others
Intrinsic Impact is implemented at leading theatres, symphonies, and presenters across the country, with over 130 arts organizations using the Intrinsic Impact Dashboard to manage audience feedback.
2015
Intrinsic Impact expands
To manage an ever-increasing client base with diverse needs, Intrinsic Impact brings on additional staff under the leadership of co-directors Kyle Marinshaw, Director of Client Services, and Sean Fenton, Director of Business Development.
