Samenvatting

Audience feedback has become increasingly important for cultural organizations in evaluating their activities and shaping future programming. Moreover, competing for funds requires more and more accounting and reporting social and cultural impact. However, how can the intangible impact of cultural projects be measured beyond metrics such as ticket sales and attendance?

In this context, the Spatial Sound Platform (SSP) needed to be evaluated from an audience perspective for its future sustainability. This case study examines a sound art project initiated by Sonic Acts, an interdisciplinary arts organization based in Amsterdam, aimed at building a digital platform to promote and disseminate spatial sound artworks. The research focuses on the implementation of its launch phase, which occurred online through a website radio and offline through listening sessions and live performances at a gallery in Amsterdam.

During two months of data collection, a mixed-method approach was employed to integrate quantitative and qualitative data from web analytics, social media, surveys, and interviews. A combination of literature review, secondary analysis, and interviews helped to understand the SSP audience and test indicators framing their online and offline experiences. Previous studies, such as the Arts Audience Experience Index (AAEI) and John Falk’s museum visitors categories, guided the interpretation of data, leading to recommendations for future evaluations. To measure the intangible experience of the SSP, motivation, familiarity with the content, immersivity, interest gain, emotions, and memories proved to be key factors at play.