Resources for arts organisations
Arts organisations of all kinds – from galleries to theatre companies – can make an impact by working in partnership with organisations and people in the criminal justice system. By doing this, arts organisations can:
- support people leaving prison to re-integrate into the community
- reach new audiences
- amplify the voices of people with lived experience of the criminal justice system
- play an active role in their local community
Useful links and resources
- The Museum Association – How museums can help prisoners connect with their loved ones during Covid-19
- Arts Award
a section of the Arts Award website dedicated to using the Arts Award in youth justice organisations, including with youth offending teams and services, secure units and youth work organisations and charities. - ArtWorks
UK umbrella for organisations with strategic or development interests in any branch of participatory arts, including community arts, socially-engaged arts, voluntary arts, and arts in education and learning. - Creating Change
national network of organisations involved in creative participatory group work with children and young people at risk.
Examples of collaborative arts projects happening between the criminal justice system and arts organisations
- Watts Gallery’s Big Issues project – the gallery works with local community groups from in and around Surrey offering practical art, craft and design workshops led by professional artists and designers. The art produced is then displayed in an annual exhibition in which participants are given the opportunity to sell their work. Read our case study on the Watts Gallery’s Big Issues Project here
- Homeless Link’s Get creative: arts for all – is a national project that aims to increase homeless people’s participation in arts and cultural activities in England as a sustainable route out of homelessness. Click here for more information
- Koestler Arts and the Southbank Centre – every year Koestler Arts (a national prison arts charity) works with the Southbank Centre in London to put on their annual Koestler Awards exhibition. Click here for more information
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Image (c) Paul Gent