This skill-building session addresses the centrality of culture in evaluation. It is organized in two segments. The opening segment addresses the relevance of culture to all stages of the evaluation process, to the fundamental validity of our work as evaluators, and to ethical standards and guidelines of our profession. Presenters will use an FAQ format to raise questions and address common misconceptions that marginalize discussions of culture within the evaluation community (e.g., Is “culture” really just a code-word for “race”? How does culture apply to me as a white evaluator working within predominantly white populations? What is the “value added” of culture in evaluation? Why should I care?) The second segment extends cultural relevance to present strategies for building cultural competence through experience, education and self-awareness. Theoretical frameworks that situate culture in evaluation (e.g., Frierson, Hood & Hughes & Thomas, 2010; Hall & Hood, 2005; Hopson, 2009; Kirkhart, 2005, 2010) are presented as advance organizers for practice and application purposes. Presenters use case scenarios and participants’ own examples to integrate workshop content with participants’ field experience, interests, and concerns. They rely on various theoretical frameworks to guide the two segments in tangible and practical ways. Additional resources will be provided, including copies of the American Evaluation Association’s Public Statement on Cultural Competence in Evaluation, to extend and reinforce participant learning.#2012 Institute #2012 Institute