Evaluating Happiness

A major part of arts in medicine is finding the funding for the work, being able to provide the services for free to the community of people but also valuing the art and the artist in residence.  The majority of the funding comes from grants.  A large part of grants is the evaluation process.  How can you show results from your work.  A very common evaluation used is a simple feedback survey.  These anonymous surveys allow for data that can be analyzed.  For my creative practice this week I created a happiness evaluation.  I decided to go to a popular shopping area here in Gainesville and hand out 50 surveys.

On a Friday evening 6:00-6:30 I went to the Archer Road Trader Joes shopping area loaded up with clipboards, pens, and surveys.  I decided to wait out site the area between Trader Joes and other shopping areas.  When I approached people I asked them if they would take one minute to circle a quick answer on my survey for happiness.  At first I was a little nervous so I think people were as well, but the more I asked the more comfortable I got!

After I collected 50 responses I used the data to asses that target area.

Out of 50 people surveyed

21: Very Happy
12: Happy
13: Average
4: Sad
0: Very Sad

This evaluation showed me that the majority of people in that area at that time were average or above with the mast majority very happy.

During one survey the older gentleman said to me, I was kind of sad but now that you asked how I was I'm happy.  Showing that simple actions can really turn peoples days around.  

Evaluations can be fun!!

Included is the blank evolution form and a view filled out forms.