Whether you’re making the case for your own program or funding someone else’s, this toolkit helps you move beyond headcounts to focus on what truly counts:
✔ Proven results
✔ Real-time metrics
✔ No fluff
The Return on Art™ Framework helps arts leaders shift from outputs to outcomes — and secure the funding they deserve.
This toolkit gives you clear, practical steps to move from tracking activity to proving impact, starting with Pre-Advocacy.
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“Using the Return on Art™ Framework has helped us to view and analyze our patron survey responses more comprehensively and in real-time. We have been able to use the data to inform our programming decisions as we further our arts mission, and statistically validate the significance of our programs to supporters and funders.”
“Angela’s leadership through the Return on Art™ Framework reshaped how we think about impact at the Wex. It also challenged me personally to lead with more clarity, courage, and accountability. She gave us the language, tools, and conviction to build programs that not only feel meaningful but also prove it. That’s a lasting shift — and I’m grateful to be part of it.”
Trusted by the Field
Note: The Collaborative Arts Impact Initiative has since evolved into the Return on Art™ Framework.
“Meleca Creative Advisors are experts at making data meaningful, not just measurable. Angela’s guidance helped us align our impact with a larger arts ecosystem and communicate our value to funders with clarity and power. This is exactly the kind of support arts organizations need right now.”
“Angela has a rare clarity of vision in how she talks about the arts, not just as programs or performances, but as measurable, transformative forces in our communities. This is challenging and important work for our field, and Angela has led it with insight, creativity, and a sense of purpose that is already shaping a powerful new narrative for the arts.”
Watch the Strategy in Action:
A 30-minute Lunch + Learn on why most advocacy falls flat — and how the Return on Art™ Framework helps you prove impact, not just explain it.
Why These Metrics Matter
Return on Art™ (ROA™) doesn’t just measure participation — it measures transformation. Built on Results-Based Accountability and validated tools recognized across health, education, and workforce sectors, ROA™ was developed in collaboration with arts organizations nationwide.
Each outcome we track — from empathy and growth mindset to creative confidence and mental well-being — is backed by nationally recognized measures, including:
PROMIS Scale: Used by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to measure overall wellness.
4Cs Framework: Used to assess 21st-century skills such as creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ How to use Pre-Advocacy to align your message, audience, and ask before meeting with funders
✅ How to apply the “5 Whys” to uncover the real impact behind your work
✅ How to measure outcomes like belonging, confidence, and critical thinking
✅ How to make your case with the Return on Art™ Framework in funder meetings
This PDF is a practical guide used by dozens of arts organizations across the country.
This toolkit is built for:
✅ Nonprofit arts leaders ready to ditch legacy metrics for measurable impact
✅ Fundraisers looking to prove value, not just describe it
✅ Grantmakers and agencies ready to fund what works
Proven. Measurable. Fundable.
Real Data. Real People. Real Impact.
Here’s what one Ohio-based arts organization achieved with the Return on Art™ Framework:
54.3% drop in loneliness after just one cycle
Biggest gains among women and clients of color
Results tied to mental wellness and stronger community connection
About Angela Meleca
Angela Meleca is a national arts strategist and founder of Meleca Creative Advisors, and the creator of the Return on Art™ Framework. She helps arts leaders shift from outdated advocacy to strategic messaging backed by real-time data and Pre-Advocacy.
Her work has helped unlock more than $160.7 million in public funding, equipping leaders with smarter metrics and storytelling that funders understand.
Angela built this toolkit to provide arts leaders with a clear and confident way to demonstrate impact — and secure the relevance, resources, and revenue they deserve.
Want to apply the Return on Art™ Framework to your organization? Book a 1:1 call