DataStory Workshops
2026 Cohorts
A guided experience that helps you build a complete, sustainable evaluation system
About DataStory Workshops
The DataStory Workshops are a 12-week guided experience that helps you build a complete, sustainable evaluation system — one that supports your work instead of overwhelming it. Our goals are to transform your experiential knowledge into an evaluation system that let’s you tell your story to the stakeholders that matter most to you. And in a way that they will recognize.
We believe evaluation should be simple, reflective, and rooted in your lived experience — not compliance or a verdict.
What You'll Learn
MODULE 1
DataStory Harvesting
You’ll begin with your own experience — the knowledge already living in your team and your community. Based on our Ways of Knowing Framework, you’ll capture lived experience in Stories of Change and a Journey Map that describe your outcomes in plain language and how your program contributes to those outcomes.
MODULE 2
DataStory Translating
This module helps you translate your Stories of Change into a Theory of Change and Logic Model, a language funders recognize without losing your story. You’ll add data collection points to your Journey Map to prioritize and streamline data collection. And you’ll complete an evaluation capacity self-assessment to identify your priority learning areas.
MODULE 3
DataStory Fluency
Using the tools you have developed, we’ll guide you in developing a culturally responsive, low-burden data collection instrument that fits your participants and your workflow. Our library includes a variety of methods, such as surveys, arts-based methods, and narrative-based methods. We’ll help you identify ways to make data collection, management and analysis sustainable and create your evaluation learning plan. You’ll conduct a stakeholder analysis and develop a storytelling strategy for at least one stakeholder.
MODULE 4
DataStoryTelling
We close the module by exploring how to share learning in ways that are honest, accessible, and aligned with your values. And you’ll share your evaluation learning plan with the community.
Workshop Format
We host the DataStory Workshops on Heatbeat, an online learning and community platform. Heartbeat keeps the coursework, live events, coaching, discussions, chats, peer learning, and library all in one place so you can focus on learning. We intentionally keep everything in one place to reduce stress, confusion, and scattered communication.
Clarity is care.
We start the workshops with a live virtual welcome event and pair everyone with a learning partner based on program type, art modality or community served.
Each week includes:
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Pre-recorded asynchronous video lessons
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A live virtual workshop or lab with coaching and feedback
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Chats, discussions, and reflective prompts
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Peer learning from the community of practice
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We end the workshops with a community showcase.
Time Commitment
2–3.5 hours per week
Nonprofits tell us this is manageable even with small teams. This includes the coursework, weekly live labs and workshops, and homework.
Who the Workshops Are For
Program staff and teaching artists from organizations delivering programs in:
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Arts-in-health or arts and health
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Creative aging
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Arts and Memory care or dementia care
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Arts-based youth development
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Creative health and community wellbeing
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Hospital-based arts programs
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Interdisciplinary arts and health partnerships
We welcome all art modalities—dance, theater, visual, performance, music, public art, and more.
RECOMMENDATION: These workshops are designed to support programs that have been delivered for at least a year. If you are designing a brand-new program, especially with a new community you’ve never worked with, then please contact us. hello@outcome-studio.com.
What You’ll Walk Away With
By the end of the 12-week series, you will have a complete evaluation system built from your own lived experience, community insights, and organizational values.
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A complete Theory of Change and a fully developed Logic Model
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A right-sized evaluation learning plan
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One data collection instrument that is culturally responsive to your community
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A data management workflow that streamlines evaluation processes
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A simple data analysis process and guide for the instrument you develop
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Stories of Change and Journey Maps for your program
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A stakeholder storytelling plan
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your 12-month implementation plan
These systems are designed to be low-maintenance, sustainable, and easy to carry forward — even through staff transitions.
Foundational Cohort, Summer 2026:
June-August
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A special cohort only for our mailing list members as of March 31, 2026
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In exchange for feedback on your learning experience
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Workshop is capped at 20 participants
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June 15-September 4, 2026
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You can secure your spot for the summer Founding Cohort with a $350 deposit now. The final payment of $350 will happen one month later. That's $700 total, a $500 savings.
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Registration closes April 17, 2026. The cohort runs June 15 through September 4, 2026.
Sponsored Cohorts
Do you have a sponsor willing to support your learning?
If you have funders who believe in your work, this is an easy and values-aligned ask. Use our Sponsorship Guide to approach your major donors to support your learning.
Otherwise, organizations can be nominated and sponsored by:
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any of their funders (foundations, state arts agencies)
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hospital & health partners
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corporate philanthropy teams
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national networks in arts and health
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a board member
Are you a funder or major donor who wants to sponsor an organization or a cohort of grantees?
Learn more about our sponsored cohorts by clicking the button below.
Questions?
