The newsletter for arts organisations working in criminal justice | May 2014
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In this month's issue...
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We're looking for bloggers!
As part of a successful Arts Council England bid to increase our membership engagement, the Arts Alliance is looking for individuals and organisations involved in the arts and criminal justice sector to author blogs and case studies for our website. We want to hear what you're doing in prisons or community settings - whether this is an arts intervention, research, a question or problem you have been facing, or a good practice example you would like to highlight. We are looking for five or six bloggers in total to contribute to this series which will include a range of different posts comprising of opinion pieces, good practice pieces, and case studies. Proposals of no more than 200 words should be sent to kate.davey@clinks.org before 5pm on 6 June. Click here for more information.
Expert seminar exploring the 'cultural value' of arts and creativity within the Criminal Justice System
On Friday 16th May, the Arts Alliance in partnership with The Design Against Crime Centre at Central St. Martins ran an expert seminar funded through the Arts and Humanities Research Council's (AHRC) Cultural Value programme. The seminar provided the opportunity to bring together academic researchers across a variety of disciplines who are concerned with art and creativity in the Criminal Justice System as well as cultural value and behaviour change. The ambition was to share perspectives from art and design and criminology on how we can capture and evaluate the value of creating and participating in artistic and creative processes for both individuals in the criminal justice sector and wider society. A paper summarising the seminar will be available later in the year. Click here for more information on the AHRC's Cultural Value programme.
Have you taken part in arts projects in prison or the community? We want to hear about it!
If you have ever taken part in art, drama, music or creative writing in prison or the community, we'd like to know what you thought. The Arts Alliance plans to carry out a large-scale research project, looking at how and why arts projects can support rehabilitation, to encourage improvements to arts provision in prisons and the community. To help us get this research right, we want to collect views and experiences from people who have taken part in arts projects in the Criminal Justice System. Therefore, if you have taken part in any of the above activities, please let us know about your experiences by downloading the questionnaire here.
Have you got something for the next newsletter?
The next newsletter will be sent on Thursday 26 June. Please email kate.davey@clinks.org with anything you would like included in the next newsletter by 12 June.
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Anxiety Arts Festival 2014
Throughout June 2014 | London | Various
Anxiety 2014 is a new London-wide arts festival, curated by the Mental Health Foundation and taking place throughout June. The festival explores anxiety, looking at its causes, how it affects all of our lives, and how it can act as a creative force. It brings together leading and emerging artists to address anxiety from different angles: from medical, social and historical perspectives to individual, collective and contemporary viewpoints. The festival presents a dynamic programme of visual art, film, performance, music, dance, theatre and talks spanning venues across London, including leading arts organisations, universities, health care institutions and community centres. Click here for more information.
Public services: the value of cultural commissioning
6 & 10 June 2014 | London and Doncaster | £50 - £150
These two seminars bring together arts and cultural organisations and public service commissioners to explore ways in which arts and culture can deliver effective public service outcomes. Whether you are from the arts and cultural sector, or are a commissioner, these seminars will help you: understand how arts and cultural organisations can work creatively with individuals and communities to tackle social issues and challenges, discover innovative artistic and cultural practice which engages people, and develop networks to increase your effectiveness in cultural commissioning for better outcomes. Click here for more information or to book.
Reading in Prison Day
13 June 2014 | University of Roehampton, London
Prison Reading Groups are running a Reading in Prison Day at the University of Roehampton on Friday 13 June. The day will consist of panel discussions on Reading and Family Life, Emergent Readers and Poetry in Prison, Reading Group Roundup and presentations from user voices, including prison readers, librarians and volunteers. Click here for more information or email kristal.oakes@roehampton.ac.uk to book a place.
Snail Porridge: The Koestler Trust exhibition for the North West
Until 15 June | Manchester | Free
Castlefield Gallery, the Koestler Trust, and Bob and Roberta Smith have collaborated to produce Snail Porridge; an exhibition of artwork, music and writing from prisons, secure hospitals, secure children's homes and by people on probation in the North West. The works have been selected from entries to the Koestler Awards. As part of Castlefield Gallery's main curated programme, this exhibition is situated firmly within a critical contemporary art context. Snail Porridge offers visitors the opportunity to see an eclectic mix of artwork by artists working outside the conventional 'art world' and to reflect the work of the Koestler Trust itself. Click here for more information.
Using the arts with juvenile and young offenders
25 June 2014, 10am - 4.15pm | Plymouth | £75
Taking place at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth as part of the Artsplan Professional Development Programme, this one day workshop will explore the benefits of using creative activities with young offenders both within the community and the secure estate. Developed in partnership with Soft Touch, this course will examine practical issues, such as those encountered in secure units and personal issues, such as motivation and the development of the young people. Click here for more information.
Clinks event: issues for the criminal justice voluntary sector
1 July 2014 | Central London | £50 - £125
'Joined up justice' is a Clinks conference that will ask: How does the voluntary sector join up our justice system and transform resettlement and rehabilitation? This conference will ask what the role of the voluntary sector is, including its role in delivering to diverse client groups, supporting communities, and providing flexible and quality services. It will consider the relationships with new probation providers, changes to our prison system, and the cross-over between other departments. This event will be chaired by Baroness Lola Young, alongside senior keynote speakers from the Government, charitable funders, and voluntary sector leaders. Find out more and book your place here.
Good Vibrations play-through
5 July 2014 | HMP Swaleside
This play-through is the culmination of a Good Vibrations course at HMP Swaleside. The organisation's courses help prisoners, patients in high security hospitals and ex-offenders in the community to develop crucial life and work skills such as communication and team working. This will be the first play-through at Swaleside; a male Category B prison, and will last for around 45 minutes. There will be a chance after the performance to chat to the participants, Good Vibrations facilitators and host institution staff. If you would like to attend, please email jane@good-vibrations.org.uk as soon as possible.
Criminal Justice: Supporting Ex-Offenders
15 July 2014, 10am - 4.30pm | Homeless Link, London | £90 - £125
This is a one day course run by Homeless Link that will provide participants with a greater understanding of how the Criminal Justice System operates and the implications that this has for the homelessness sector. On completion of the course, amongst other things, you will: understand that offending behaviour should be seen as a specific need that should be met, understand how the homelessness and criminal justice sectors can work together, and be able to implement organisational policies regarding offending behaviour. The course is suitable for new frontline staff or experienced professionals wanting to update their skills. Click here for more information.
Where does talent come from and how do you nurture it?
23 July 2014, 9.30am - 4.30pm | Birmingham | £160
What is talent? Do people vary in the talents they possess? If so, why? Is talent a result of nature or nurture? Do we need to know the answer to this question in order to answer the next; how do you nurture it? This one day conference, presented by Rideout, is the culmination of the organisation's Talent 4 Europe EU funded programme and will bring together a wide number of experts to discuss issues relating to the origins of talent, creativity and ways to improve the chances of those in prison and others on the margins of society. Speakers will include Germaine Greer and Tim Harford. Click here to find out more.
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BIG announces new £150m 'Power to Change' initiative
The BIG Lottery Fund has announced that it will launch a new £150 million fund to support the development of sustainable community-led enterprises. The fund aims to respond to the many economic challenges facing local communities. It wants to support communities to come together using creative approaches that involve local people and resources to improve their local neighbourhoods, villages and town centres. These could take many different forms and solutions could include: transferring resources into the ownership of local residents, and using former commercial spaces to incubate social enterprises and cultural activities. Click here for more information.
National Offender Management Service (NOMS) CFO Events Information
Further to earlier publication announcing the NOMS Co-Financing Organisation (CFO) Round 3 (Provision for the European Social Fund (ESF) 2014-2020 Programme), NOMS CFO is announcing three national events to be held in Birmingham (4 June), London (11 June), and Manchester (18 June). Click here for further information.
Clean Break is recruiting for three different posts
Clean Break, a theatre company with an independent education programme and a belief that theatre can change lives, is currently recruiting for three different posts. They are looking for women with strong professional track records who are passionate about theatre and education, committed to changing the lives of women affected by the Criminal Justice System and motivated to join an award-winning theatre company working at the forefront of social, political and cultural change. The positions are: Finance Manager, Finance and HR Administrator, and Office Administrator. Deadlines 2 - 4 June 2014. Click here for more information on the individual positions.
Encouraging trends in public support for arts and culture
Support for public funding of arts and culture in England continues to increase, according to the Arts Council England (ACE)'s independently commissioned Stakeholder focus research. Stakeholder research is an important tool for ACE, as it ensures it remains in touch with the views of external stakeholders and the public. The research shows that the feeling within the arts and cultural sector is that ACE is getting better at its advocacy role, and is making a strong case for public investment in arts and culture. Click here to read more.
Kings College London launch CultureCase
Kings College London has launched CultureCase - a new, free to use web resource that aims to put academic research to work in the cultural sector. Made up of carefully selected academic research from universities and scholars around the world, the website includes short, accessible summaries of academic research that demonstrate the impacts of arts and culture. Its creators hope that it will be a tool for arts organisations to advocate for the value of culture, apply for funding, and inform programming, marketing and strategic decision-making. Click here to visit the CultureCase site.
BBC Performing Arts Fund
Grants of £10,000 are available to organisations wanting to host a Fellow through the early stages of their performing arts careers. All Fellowships should offer an opportunity for a talented and motivated emerging performing arts creative to work under the guidance of experienced mentors to develop their skills, experiment, create and showcase their work, and experience the reality of working in a professional and performing arts environment. Applications can be made by performing arts companies, organisations, venues, festivals, agencies and charities from across the UK to host a Fellow who should be selected by the organisation. The deadline for applications is 18 August 2014. Click here for more information.
Geese Theatre Company is looking for new Trustees
This year, Geese is looking to appoint new members to its Board. Those selected will help steer the 2014-2018 Business Plan and actively participate in the ongoing development and success of the company and its charitable objectives. The ideal candidate will have a commitment to the organisation, a sympathy and commitment to Geese Theatre Company's Mission, and an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a Board Member of a registered charity. Additionally, they will have skills and experience in Human Resources, PR and Marketing, or the Criminal Justice System. The closing date for applications is Friday 27 June, 10am. Click here for more information.
Arts Award Ambition programme now open for applications
Bridge North East in partnership with all the North East Arts Award Training Agencies have developed a comprehensive programme of opportunities for Cultural Organisations and Schools to deepen their engagement with Arts Award. One element of this programme is 'Arts Award Ambition'; an opportunity for cultural organisations who regularly work with children and young people to access intensive support from expert Arts Award advisers and specialists. The programme will offer up to ten cultural organisations 40 hours/5 days of adviser time worth £1,500 free of charge. Click here for application guidelines and information on how to apply.
Blog: the purpose of prison learning
Nina Champion, Head of Policy at Prisoners' Education Trust, has written a guest blog for the Clinks website exploring the purpose of prison learning, in which she asks: Is it all about making prisoners employable? Is it about changing attitudes and behaviours? Is it about promoting desistance? Is it about reducing reoffending? Is it about helping people cope with their sentences? Is it simply about keeping people busy? Or all of the above? Read Nina's blog and have your say here.
Big Lottery Fund opens online conversation on its future vision
The Big Lottery Fund has recently launched the 'Your Voice, Our Vision' online conversation open to anyone interested in having a say on how £4billion of Lottery funding should be spent between 2015 and 2021. From now until July 2014, the Fund is asking anyone with a stake in Lottery funding, including grant holders, the voluntary and community sector and the general public to take part in a UK wide conversation around the Big Lottery Fund's work. Everyone is invited to add their voices to this conversation by submitting a blog, posting a film, sending a tweet or contributing a comment. These views will then inform the Fund's new framework, which will be published by spring 2015. Click here for more information.
Partnerships between arts and cultural organisations and the youth justice sector in the South East
Artswork sought expressions of interest to undertake action-based research in an area of arts or cultural development working with up to 4 partnership clusters between the arts and cultural sector, local authority youth offending teams (YOT) and the youth justice sector. To read more about the aims of the programme and the 4 successful projects, click here
More in arts and criminal justice...
- On Friday 25 April, the Prisoner Learning Alliance held its first conference on the themes of its recent Smart Rehabilitation report.
- Click here to read the Arts Alliance's view on books in prisons. If you have any examples of how this new policy has impacted upon prisoners, please email jessica.plant@clinks.org.
- Fine Cell Work is looking for a Workshops & Training Coordinator.
- Wanted: artist with experience of delivering combined courses of visual arts and soft skill development to work with a group of male ex-offenders in the community this summer. Please contact Emily at esmcewan@gmail.com for more information.
- StarS Beauty Spot is a mobile beauty and teaching organisation based in North London using beauty and drama as a route of engagement and a social tool. Email Sharron Spice for more information or call 07552 228045.
New briefing from the Prison Reform Trust on the Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) scheme
The Prison Reform Trust have published a briefing focusing on the Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) scheme and its impact on fairness, decency and rehabilitation behind bars. This briefing explores the Prison Service Instruction updated in November 2013, which has been the source of so much debate in the media in relation to access to books for prisoners. To download the briefing click here
Centre for Social Justice: 'Meaningful Mentoring'
The mentoring of offenders is described in this report as one of the most promising pathways to rehabilitation in today's Criminal Justice System. It claims it is about to move from the margins of rehabilitation practice to the mainstream of national policy, thanks to recent developments in the Government's strategy for Transforming Rehabilitation. The report states that mentoring has so far been poorly defined and erratically implemented, a fuzzy concept which is in fashion but short of facts. It attempts to portray various types and forms of mentoring now being used within the Criminal Justice System and identify examples and themes which constitute best practice. Read the full report here.
DCMS research into wellbeing impact of the arts
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has published two reports, undertaken by researchers at the London School of Economics, investigating the social and wellbeing impacts of culture and sport. The first report, 'Quantifying the Social Impacts of Sport and Culture', attempts to assess the links between culture and sport and a number of social measures including health. A key finding was that those engaging with the arts as an audience member were 5.4% more likely to report good health than the general population. The second report, 'Quantifying and Valuing the Wellbeing Impacts of Sport and Culture', looks more closely at the link between sport and culture and subjective wellbeing (e.g. life satisfaction).
Case studies: employment and training opportunities for offenders
The Home Office commissioned a short term programme of work undertaken by Clinks and Social Firms UK that explores and assesses the role of social enterprises in enabling both adult and young offenders to access training and development opportunities. The programme had two elements; the development and publication of twenty case studies, and a sumary report that brings together key learning about developing and sustaining social enterprises offering employment and employability training to offenders. Click here to read more.
Don't forget, you can email anything for inclusion in the next newsletter (to be sent Thursday 26 June) to kate.davey@clinks.org before 12 June.
This newsletter is written monthly by Kate Davey.
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