nef is looking for commissioning partners

[Lucie Stephens]

In 2001 a Gloucestershire GP, Dr Opher developed ‘Artlift’ with local arts and cultural organizations (Create Gloucestershire).  Artlift gives people access to 10 weeks of arts activity on prescription.  After a successful pilot in Dr Ophers practice it is now available in eight surgeries across Gloucestershire (one in each district). Patients are prescribed Artlift for a wide range of reasons including to reduce stress, anxiety or depression, to increase social networks, alleviate symptoms of chronic pain or illness and to improve overall well-being.  Evaluations demonstrate a significant impact on patient well-being and a sustained reduction in medical consultations (27% reduction sustained past six months).  This evidence led to NHS Gloucestershire sponsoring the county-wide roll out, at a cost of £190,000.  Patients really value the service, reporting that it helps them to meet other people, learn a new skill and find relief from their medical conditions.

 

The Cultural Commissioning Programme

Examples like this are not widespread in England but a new three-year programme funded by the Arts Council aims to change this. The Cultural Commissioning Programme (CCP)  will work with public service commissioners and the arts and cultural sector. 

Do you want to transform how you commission services?

Within the CCP nef will support two commissioning partners to achieve excellence in commissioning with the arts and cultural sector. We can provide a range of training and support including implementing outcomes based commissioning, co-design and co-production and working with current and potential providers to improve commissioning. We will produce a range of materials that document the learning from the commissioning partner sites, and develop guidance and tools which other commissioners will then be able to use.

We would like to talk to potential partners who are interested in exploring the opportunities for arts and cultural organisations to deliver commissioned services in their area. We want to find two geographical areas to partner with. Partners will need to be commissioning a significant proportion of their spending within at least one of the areas described below.

Older people: arts and cultural interventions can make considerable impact on older people's outcomes, contributing to a range of outcomes including physical health, maintaining independence and improving well-being. Services may be commissioned from a range of sources including health and social care, clinical commissioning groups, housing and support budgets, personal budgets and specialist support such as dementia support.

Mental health and wellbeing: arts and cultural interventions may be preventative and for whole populations, or targeted for more specific groups or conditions. We anticipate that services may be commissioned from a range of health and social care sources, personal budgets or more specialist clinical funding.

Place based commissioning: this is an emerging area of commissioning in which the arts and cultural sector could make a significant contribution. Commissioning activity may focus on building community cohesion, growing neighbourhood engagement, regeneration or pooled local budgets.

 

Partnering with us

If you are interested in applying to become a Commissioning Partner in this exciting programme please download our information pack and complete a short application form.

Applications must be received by 5pm on Friday 28^th March 2014.

About the Cultural Commissioning Programme

The CCP aims to increase commissioners awareness and interest in arts and cultural work supporting public services. The CCP will also help the arts and cultural sector to engage in public sector commissioning. The programme is being delivered in partnership by NCVO, NPC (New Philanthropy Capital), nef (new economics foundation) and Mission Models Money (MMM). 

 

Between 2014 and 2016 the CCP will provide a range of activities and advice to support organisations in the arts, museums and libraries sectors and public service commissioners. The CCP aims to increase understanding of how arts and cultural interventions can deliver public service outcomes. It will offer a range of practical and online support and resources including:

• research reports identifying current levels of cultural commissioning, evidence of the impact of arts and cultural programmes on social outcomes, and opportunities for further development;
• a support programme for commissioners who want to increase their commissioning from arts and cultural organisations;
• learning programmes for arts and cultural organisations to increase their capacity to deliver public service commissions;
• a series of conferences and events across England to highlight current developments, showcase work and encourage dialogue;
• online resources including case studies and an evidence of impact library.

 

If you want to know more about the Cultural Commissioning Programme please visit our website.