This year marks Safe Ground's 21st anniversary, with their symposium - 'MOVING. HOME' - being the culmination of a year-long series of public events to celebrate the occasion. At this milestone, they will be taking the time to examine the context in which they are working.
Creative Future's annual Literary Awards showcase will offer a range of talented writers from around the UK. Each of the twelve finalists will read their award-winning contributions alongside readings from their critically acclaimed guest author Michelle Green and best-selling poet and playwright Lemn Sissay, who will host the event.
Each year the Koestler Trust run an Arts Tutor Seminar for Visual Art Tutors working within prisons. This year’s seminar will take place on the morning of our Exhibition’s public opening on Thursday 15th September at the Southbank Centre. The Seminar will provide delegates with a valuable opportunity to network and learn from each other, share […]
Barred, a new play by Dean Stalham will be taking place at the Brady Arts Centre in London on 15th and 16th September. For more information, please email carlotta@stretch-charity.org.
'We are all human' is the UK's annual national showcase of arts by prisoners, ex-offenders on community sentences, secure psychiatric patients and immigration detainees. It is the ninth exhibition in an ongoing partnership between the Koestler Trust and Southbank Centre. This year's show was curated by writer and dub-poet Benjamin Zephaniah.
This year's Prisoner Learning Alliance (PLA) conference will explore the changing policy environment through a range of speakers including a Governor of one of the new 'reform prisons.' Delegates will have the chance to discuss the challenges and opportunities these policy changes may bring and there will be a focus on sharing good practice on 'personalised and peer-enabled approaches.' Achieve
This fundraising event is a unique performance experience and dinner hosted by Rory Bremner, at Central st Martins, at 6pm on 28th September in aid of the Centre for Peaceful Solutions. The organisation has been given the go ahead for a transformative project in Dartmoor Prison, for which they need to raise £240,000. To kick this […]
On 5th October 2016 we will be holding our annual conference in York at HMP Askham Grange. The day, which is aimed at governors, Heads of Learning and Skills, Heads of Reducing Reoffending, health and substance misuse senior prison staff, CRCs and arts and voluntary sector organisations, will explore innovation and creativity in criminal justice reform.
Following on from the success of the last two annual Art of Recovery events, the competition is now open to anyone in or working towards recovery across West Yorkshire. The showcase event will feature local judges, food, music and ultimately a celebration of creativity. The exhibition is open to the public, professionals, families and friends […]
Join Changing Tunes in Bristol for an evening of musical performances from people they have worked with in prison, and get the chance to hear them talk about their journeys. With performances supported by their Musicians in Residence, there will be a mixture of original songs and covers. Click here for more information. When? 15th October […]
Are the arts a luxury or do they actually make a difference? Join artists, prison arts practitioners and academics for a discussion about whether and how the arts really move people. Speakers include Sarah Colvin and Preti Taneja (School of Arts and Humanities, Cambridge), Anna Herrmann (Clean Break), Andy Watson (Geese Theatre Company), Alex Wheatle […]
Two boroughs both alike in poverty, South and east where we tell our story. From past issues up to present gang wars Evading the laws to kill without cause. Then he saw her, it was love at first sight, She caught a glimpse and was like, he’s alright! But she’s from E8 and he’s from […]
We are holding a 'listening event' on 10th November (1 - 4pm) in Birmingham to bring together people working in arts and criminal justice settings across the West Midlands to talk about current policy and challenges as well as good practice. The session will be an informal event for participants to raise any concerns about […]
This masterclass is for both theatre artists and criminal justice professionals interested in the specialised field of arts in the Criminal Justice System. The day will be an introduction to the work of two organisations in the field. Participants will learn about their different working practices, understand the principles and theory underpinning their work, and […]
The Prison Radio Association's annual development day, Inside Prison Radio 2016, will be taking place on Wednesday 16th November at the Southbank Centre in London. Early bird tickets are currently on sale at a price of £50 (including VAT). This event is for anyone who's interested in the power of prison radio to change lives. […]
The Irene Taylor Trust is celebrating 21 years of its work in prisons (Music in Prisons) and now also in the community with ex-prisoners (Sounding Out) and young people in challenging circumstances (Making Tracks) with an exciting and eclectic evening of live music at London’s Union Chapel on 22nd November 2016. The evening will feature […]
The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance's annual Anne Peaker lecture will focus this year on the use of photography and film in criminal justice settings, looking at how different media can reveal life behind prison doors, and how film and photography can be powerful tools for sharing stories. The event, happening on 7th December (6.30 […]
This event is a festive evening of performance, exhibition and research celebrating the value of participatory arts for young people to be held at the refurbished Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts. The event will celebrate work by various creative arts organisations working with researchers from the interdisciplinary Centre for Research in Creative and Performing Arts […]
Beyond the Door is an exhibition of artwork, writing and music from prisons, secure hospitals, and by people on community sentences in the West Midlands. The work on display has been selected by Walsall Youth Justice Service from entries to the 2016 Koestler Awards, an annual scheme that has been rewarding artistic achievement in the criminal justice and secure sectors for over 50 years. The […]
Synergy Studio is offering a free ten-week introduction to acting course for ex-prisoners starting in January. Participants will learn techniques used by professional actors and explore them in fun, practical sessions, leading to a short performance for an invited audience. This course is accredited and provides opportunities for further progression in acting. No previous experience […]
Inside Peace follows a group of inmates doing time in a Texas prison as they embark on a journey of personal discovery while struggling with society’s roadblocks and dangers. The documentary features the Peace Education Program (PEP) which teaches people to get in touch with themselves and their inner resources and has proved very effective […]
Homecomings features premières of two new plays of addicts heading home to the people, places and things that landed them in trouble. These headline a month of plays, talks and readings. GLORY WHISPERS By Sonya Hale Directed by Juliet Knight 21 February - 4 March An unexpected reunion with Glory brings hope to Mina. If […]
A new narrative: the impact of creative writing on people with experience of the Criminal Justice System The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance's Annual Meeting is an opportunity for our members and others working in the arts and criminal justice sector to come together, share good practice and experience some powerful and inspiring creative work. […]
Open Clasp's new production Sugar will be previewed over two weeks for International Women's Day 2017. This is an exciting opportunity to see the play in the first stage of development. The play exposes the routes into prison, life behind bars, and the revolving door that catapults women back. It has been devised with women […]
Run by Geese Theatre Company, the Other Side of the Wall is a three-day course on the use of theatre and drama with offenders and young people at risk of offending. Participants will experience and practice a variety of drama-based methods for use in group work, while exploring some of the basic principles behind Geese’s […]
Open Clasp Theatre Company's play Key Change is at the Battersea Arts Centre from 10th - 19th April. Originally devised by women in HMP Low Newton to tell their stories to male prisoners, the play has gone on to win the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award 2015, and was awarded the prestigious New York […]
Synergy Studio is offering a free four week radio drama project for ex-prisoners starting this May. Taking inspiration from the V&A's major exhibition on Pink Floyd, participants will learn how to write a short drama for radio. Each participant will get to record their drama in a professional radio production studio. No previous experience is […]
This seminar from the Westminster Media Forum will focus on cultural funding in England: the new financial landscape, diversifying income streams and policy priorities. It will examine next steps for tackling the funding challenges facing the cultural sector in England, and the latest progress in implementing proposals set out in the Culture White Paper. Sessions […]
On 22nd May, 6 - 7.30pm, join photographer David Goldblatt at the Town Hall in West Bromwich, where he will talk about his project - which was run in partnership with Multistory - 'Ex-offenders at the scene of the crime.' David Goldblatt was born in South Africa and has been a photographer since 1963. Over […]
This Westminster Legal Policy Forum event will consider options for policy following the response to Charlie Taylor's 'Review of the Youth Justice System,' which set out proposals to review governance frameworks and establish two new pilot secure schools. Sessions will focus on what more can be done to improve the outcomes of young offenders, with […]
This day-long symposium is an invitation to artists, academics, policy makers and professionals working in criminal justice and women's services to consider the distinctiveness of theatre practices that engage directly with women affected by the criminal justice system. Led by Clean Break and Queen Mary's University, delegates will have the chance to hear artists and […]
Prison Reading Groups' are holding their annual 'reading in prison day' at the University of Roehampton on 9th June, with key themes including: putting the library at the heart of the prison, reading and families, and 'why read?' The event is for prison governors, librarians and volunteers, authors, ex-prisoners and representatives of education and literacy […]
Voyage are holding an information day where delegates can find out more about their expanded Horizon Plus programme. The Horizon Plus programme will be offered as a structured summer intervention programme for two cohorts in August and as a day release course in November. It aims to provide a safe, educational and developmental space for […]
On 20th June, the Prisoner Learning Academic Network and the University of Westminster are hosting a seminar looking at the role of the Prisoners' Education Trust and distance learning in breaking down barriers between the inside and outside of prisons, opening up new horizons with consequences for self-identity and for desistance processes. When? 20th June, 6 […]
This one day course, delivered by Clean Break, is for theatre artists, early career playwrights and criminal justice professionals with an interest in the specialised field of theatre, women and criminal justice. Through drama and theatre writing exercises, group work and discussion, participants will learn creative ideas and exercises, explore best practice, gain confidence and […]
Join the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance on 23rd June 2017 in Manchester for a training session run by Mike Sheath from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation. The training will be tailored to cover carrying out creative practices safely in criminal justice settings in particular, how the artists' role is different to other practitioners, and how […]
Synergy Theatre Project is offering two free ten week courses for ex-prisoners between September and November. Introduction to Film Production (4th September - 6th November) will look at different roles and departments working behind the scenes within the film industry, and Introduction to Scriptwriting (18th September - 20th November) will support participants to bring their […]
Join engage Cymru for this event looking at supporting young people to reach their potential through arts interventions. The event will bring together youth offending teams, local authority officers, educators, artists and arts organisations to share knowledge and expertise, hear about exemplary practice from across the UK, and to explore recommendations in the Charlie Taylor […]
Staging Rehabilitation 1st November 2017 10am - 4:30pm The Lowry Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ Tickets £55 - £85 This masterclass is for both theatre artists and criminal justice professionals interested in the specialised field of arts in the criminal justice system. The day will be an introduction to the work of two […]
Youth Music is funding Good Vibrations to run a series of immersive, day-long effective facilitation workshops for music and arts practitioners working with people in challenging circumstances. Their next one is on the 29th November 2017, and it’s a free workshop at York University.
4th December 2017 | National Theatre, London | #ArtsCJS2017 Book your tickets here We are delighted to invite you to attend the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) Annual Conference to discuss ‘what’s next for arts in criminal justice?’ The conference aims to offer our membership an opportunity to explore and discuss the future […]
Synergy Studio is offering a free ten-week accredited 'Introduction to acting' course for people with experience of the criminal justice system.
An evening celebrating the transformative, transporting power of music with the bands Inside Out and The Fish Police
Drawing Connections is a project with HMP Springhill prisoners and students from a local art faculty. This exhibition at the University of Cambridge displays the process and selected works, and also includes Koestler artworks.
13 - 17 March 2018 Oval House Theatre, London Book now 15 year-old James wakes up in a prison cell and can’t remember how he got there... Blackout is a hard-hitting play about getting bullied, fighting back, trying to make a name for yourself, turning vicious, doing something stupid, losing everything, then finding your way […]
Hosted by Outside In, this year's European Outsider Art Association Conference focuses on the Artist’s Voice, celebrating the work of excluded and non-traditional artists and sharing best practice in the field through a series of presentations, key note speeches, and workshops delivered by artists and practitioners.
The Koestler Trust and The Prisons Mission present an exhibition touring central London churches throughout 2018.
New play tackling coercive controlling domestic abuse from the makers of critically-acclaimed prison drama Key Change.
We are now fully booked for this event, if you wish to be put on the waiting list please email events@clinks.org Date: Wednesday 16 May 2018 Time: 3 - 5pm, with drinks reception 5 - 6pm Location: Ikon Gallery, Birmingham Cost: Free Find out how we are working to support 'arts for all' in the Criminal Justice System The […]
Voices from the Row, curated by Nicola White, presents a collection of poetry written and read by prisoners incarcerated on death row at San Quentin state prison in the USA.
Join Prisoners' Education Trust for their annual lecture, this year on the theme of international lessons in prison education.
As part of their 10th Anniversary Celebrations, Intermission Youth Theatre (IYT) are reviving their 2012 production, Ring of Envy.
Workshops, debates and performances exploring how justice, truth and history have been produced over time.
Join The Change Collective (TCC) and some of their friends for a Summer ‘Dance With the Devil’; using an approach that’s emerged over the last few years, the night is part workshop, part Open Lab, part party in the kitchen.
'Transforming Criminology: rethinking crime in a changing world' will be relevant to those with an interest in: criminology, criminal justice, socio-legal studies, social policy, law, human rights, psychology and sociology; and includes dedicated arts in criminal justice sessions.
National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance and Watts Gallery are hosting a seminar on Museums and Criminal Justice to coincide with Watts Gallery’s Art for All Exhibition 2018 - marking 10 years of work with prisons, young offenders and community groups.
This new exhibition by Islington Museum explores the history and significance of Holloway Prison, the impact of its closure, and the memories of those who lived and worked there.
Devised and performed by men from HMP Springhill in collaboration with Kestrel Theatre Company, Broken Dreams follows a group of friends struggling with grief, guilt and the long-standing fight for justice from a housing system they believe has failed them.
A unique candlelit performance at Shakespeare's Globe from Intermission Youth Theatre, exploring Shakespeare's voice of the past and the young voices of today.
This one day introductory course will explore some of the questions to consider before embarking on a creative project in this unique setting.
An evening symposium from Stretch Charity - the innovative digital arts and storytelling organisation that has been delivering projects in prisons and community projects for over a decade.
Join Koestler Trust and Justice Secretary David Gauke for the official opening of the 2018 Koestler Trust exhibition I'm Still Here, featuring performances, talks, tours and a pop-up art shop.
The Other Side of the Wall is a three-day course which invites participants to experience and practise a variety of theatre and drama-based methods for use in groupwork.
Koestler Trust's annual exhibition of art by offenders, secure patients and detainees entered into their Koestler Awards, on display at Southbank Centre. This year, the artworks have been selected by the families of prisoners inside, giving a unique and very personal edge to the show.
Since 1987, Geese Theatre Company has created and delivered the highest quality arts projects in secure and community settings. This celebration event includes a rare chance to see Geese perform and find out more about how and why they do what they do.
Our annual Anne Peaker Debate this year focuses on art, violence and criminal justice, and asks, how can art create a less violent society?
Throughout the year, Geese Theatre Company regularly host a free Introductory Workshop to share their practice in interactive theatre, drama-based groupwork and training within the criminal justice system and secure institutions.
Join Changing Tunes for a night of music and stories from their participants, former prisoners and musicians.
Save the date for book launch and conversation with the artists of Operation Jurassic - a long term photographic collaboration between brother and sister Pablo and Roxana Allison.
This NCJAA workshop is an opportunity for you to have your say about arts in criminal justice settings, and contribute to Arts Council England's thinking and 2020-2030 strategy.