Assessment 

Assessment Rationale 

This series uses performance-based assessments rooted in community-building and culturally responsive practices to highlight how BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) stories and art connect and strengthen communities. These assessments allow participants to actively engage with the content, applying their personal and cultural knowledge to create meaningful works of art. For example, in the dance workshops, participants are not merely asked to replicate choreography taught by the instructor. Instead, they step into the role of choreographers, creating group dances that weave together their social dances and cultural knowledge with the traditions of others in the group. Similarly, in the Kenyan braiding workshop, participants engage in a hands-on, culturally significant practice by braiding each other’s hair, fostering both skill development and interpersonal connection. In this series, the intentional decision for assessment is to not grade art. The hope is to create art as an experiential process. Therefore, participants engage in collective sharing as an accessible way to engage with art and the community. 

Survey

After each workshop, participants complete a Post-Workshop Survey to provide feedback on their learning experience, the relevance of the content, and suggestions for future workshops. This survey also allows participants to share additional BIPOC stories they would like to explore and suggest libraries that might benefit from the curriculum, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with community needs. The assessments encourage participants to work together, exchanging ideas and building connections. Additionally, the feedback surveys serve as a formative assessment tool, enabling participants to shape future workshops by suggesting BIPOC stories they wish to explore and libraries that could benefit from our curriculum. 

Gallery Walk 

This approach emphasizes authentic assessment, where the tasks are rooted in real-world practices and cultural traditions. The final gallery walk exhibition serves as a summative assessment and a celebration of participants’ growth throughout the program. It provides a space for them to share their creations and demonstrate a deep understanding of the art forms explored, all while fostering community engagement. This assessment approach not only evaluates participants’ learning but also honors their cultural identities and experiences, creating a space for empowerment, connection, and growth.