The newsletter for arts organisations working in criminal justice
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In this month's issue...
- National Alliance for Arts in Criminal Justice news
- Events and training
- Arts and criminal justice news
- Resources and publications
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National Alliance for Arts in Criminal Justice news
New Chair for the NAACJ
We are delighted that Dr Alison Frater will be joining the NAACJ as our new Chair from September onwards. Alison is an independent public health consultant with a strong interest in the arts. She recently retired from the NHS as Head of Public Health and Health in the Justice System in London. She has worked in public health at every level of government, including as Director of Public Health in Bristol, and has held lead roles in the voluntary sector. Her past work has required expertise in research and implementation of evidence, always with a strong focus on advocacy for social justice and reducing inequalities.
Alison is excited to be joining the NAACJ: "I am very much looking forward to contributing to the work of the NAACJ, working with the team, the Steering Group and our members to ensure equity of access to the arts for people within the Criminal Justice System. I have, throughout my career, developed a strong interest and experience in fostering research evidence to inform and challenge policy and practice. I am convinced of the complementarity between creativity and improving life chances and am especially keen to drive forward our new programme of work, 'Inspiring Futures'."
We'd also like to say a huge thank you to Tim Robertson, who has been the NAACJ's Chair for the past six years. He says: "It's been fantastic meeting Alison - she brings a wealth of expertise, experience and enthusiasm to the role. As I move on after six years, I'm thrilled to know that the NAACJ will be in such great hands, and I know the sector will really enjoy working with Alison."
We're looking for mentors for our professional mentoring scheme
Following two successful intakes of mentors and mentees from 2013-2015, the NAACJ is now rolling out its professional mentoring scheme for a third year. The scheme aims to expand opportunities for our members to develop professional skills and knowledge in the field of arts and criminal justice through a one-to-one mentoring relationship with a more experienced NAACJ member. We are now looking for our next intake of mentors to join the scheme and attend our mentor training day on Friday 11th September 2015 in London. If this is something you are interested in, please click here for further information.
New in the Evidence Library...
Bath Spa University's evaluation of Rideout's European programme 'Talent 4...' is now available in the Evidence Library. 'Talent 4...' is an arts-based diagnostic programme designed to help participants identify personal strengths and skills to help increase motivation and inform better decision making about future training or employment. The evidence report highlights a statistically significant increase in participants' aspirations over the course of the project. Click here to read the evaluation report.
Reminder: Save the date for our event at the National Theatre
The NAACJ is really pleased to be holding a collaborative event with the National Theatre this autumn, focusing on the transformative power of art. Inspired by a new production of 'Our Country is Good' by Timberlake Wertenbaker, the event will bring together arts organisations, directors, writers, academics and other practitioners who work in criminal justice settings, using theatre and the arts to bring about positive change. Join us on 14th October 2015 for a day of keynote speeches, debate, sharing of practice, and performance. To register your interest in attending, please email ocg@nationaltheatre.org.uk.
Have you got something for the next newsletter?
The next newsletter will be sent on Thursday 27th August. Please email kate.davey@clinks.org with anything you would like included by Thursday 13th August.
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Events and training
Femmetamorphosis at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
6th - 31st August 2015 | Spotlites, Edinburgh | £6.50 - £8.50
Elicit Theatre Company's Femmetamorphosis is a play that looks at the transformation of several women during a lingerie party, painting a humorous light-hearted picture of female friendship and dynamics. Taking inspiration from comedies such as The Real McCoy, French and Saunders and The Desmonds, this is a tale of sisterhood and female solidarity, spanning different generations, heritage and race in order to powerfully portray the adversity women face and how they can triumph over it. Elicit Theatre Company is a co-operative with a mission to bring diversity to the stage, creating powerful roles for women, particularly women of colour. Click here for more information.
Go to Jail: The Cell Project
8th - 18th August 2015 | Kidderminster Town Hall
The Cell Project is Rideout's response to issues of prison overcrowding and conditions in contemporary imprisonment. The cell used in the installation is an exact replica of those found in newer prisons in England, and houses two prisoners, ex-offender actors, with whom visitors can talk to discover first hand a little of what prison is really like. Previously exhibited at the Southbank Centre, the cell has recently been refurbished with enhanced audio-visual capabilities so if you can't make it in person, you can visit and watch activity in the cell online. For full details, please click here.
Relaxed 'talk and draw'
3rd and 10th September 2015 | National Gallery, London
Do you support somebody with a learning disability who is interested in going to museums and galleries, or who might enjoy a new experience with painting in a welcoming, creative atmosphere? A small group will be invited to take part in a relaxed event at the National Gallery, comprising of two sessions over two weeks. The aim of each session will be for everyone in the group to have the opportunity to look at some paintings, choose their favourite, and make a drawing. There will then be the chance to discuss it with the rest of the group. Click here for more information.
The value of research in the arts therapies
7th September 2015 | Camden People's Theatre, London | £60
The 'Constellations in the Arts Therapies: The Value of Research' conference will explore the value of research in the arts therapies. The focus will be on deepening methods of non-verbal inquiry in art therapy, drama therapy, music therapy and dance movement therapy. Guests are invited to engage with experiential methods of looking at research from current and expanding perspectives. Key presenters will include a range of clinicians, researchers and service users. This conference is one of a series of collaborative projects between the University of Hertfordshire, Central and North West London NHS Trust Foundation and South London and Maudsley NHS Trust Foundation. Click here for more information.
Get Up Stand Up: How to rethink the criminal justice system
10th September 2015 | University of Nottingham | Free
The Get Up stand Up exhibition is a collaboration between New Art Exchange and NCCL at Galleries of Justice Museum, exploring the idea of international civil rights with young people. Members of the Centre for Research in Race and Rights are providing a dialogue series to accompany the exhibition, as part of the British Academy Rising Star Engagement project on Race and Rights. The dialogues feature material and performances from the project, provocative conversations, audience debate and final action points. The event on 10th September is entitled: 'Black Men and Invisibility: How to Rethink the Criminal Justice System.' Click here for more information.
The Art of Social Prescribing
17th September 2015 | Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool | Free
This Cultural Commissioning Programme conference aims to respond to increasing interest in social prescribing. It will gather the latest academic and applied research with particular reference to the role that arts and cultural activities play in social prescribing. A range of interactive workshops will introduce established arts and cultural programmes, highlighting good practice approaches in mental health and wellbeing and encouraging debate on how to most effectively commission, fund and evaluate social prescribing schemes. Click here for more information.
Twelve: from Portraits of Recovery
18th September 2015 - 26th June 2016 | Various venues across the UK
'Twelve' is Melanie Manchot's major new multi-channel video installation exploring the intimate stories, rituals, repetitions and ruptures of lives spent in addiction and recovery. 'Twelve' was commissioned by Mark Prest of Portraits of Recovery and developed by Manchot working with Action on Addiction, the Ley Community and the Psychosocial Research Unit at the University of Central Lancashire. The installation will go from the Castlefield Gallery Manchester to Aspex Gallery, Portsmouth in early 2016, followed by Towner Gallery, Eastbourne in spring 2016. Click here for more information.
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Arts and criminal justice news
New magazine promotes the work of prisoners and ex-offenders
Boundless magazine, part of the Arkbound publishing group, will be launching its first issue in October 2015. The publication will feature and promote the work of prisoners and ex-offenders, with space for art work, writing and articles. In addition, insights from those who work in the area are also invited. For more information on how to submit your work, please click here.
A new direction for prison policy?
Jess Mullen, Clinks' senior policy officer, has blogged about Michael Gove's speech to the Prisoner Learning Alliance. Jess says: "Since his appointment in May, the Secretary of State has been taking time to learn about his new brief and listening to a range of organisations and stakeholders. As a result, this speech has been hotly anticipated and it was a welcome opportunity to hear what the minister described as his observations so far which are guiding the shape of policies to come. However, he also stated that any firm proposals he makes for reform in the future will be rooted in evidence and subject to rigorous testing." Click here to read the blog post.
Clinks' blog: Creating restorative prisons
Lisa Rowles from Khulisa has written a guest blog for Clinks reflecting on her time so far as a Streetcraft Scholar. Through the StreetCraft Scholarship programme, Lisa worked with Clinks to develop a practical vision for a prison regime rooted in restorative justice principles, a potentially radical reshaping of the ethos behind imprisonment. Amongst other things, Lisa says she learnt that: "Armed with a big idea, humility, passion and seeking knowledge - unexpected doors can open; restorative and criminal justice networks are full of encouraging and inspiring collaborative partners; restorative prisons are possible, and restorative practice is here to stay!" Read the blog post here.
New: Artworks Alliance
A new umbrella organisation has been established to support individual participatory artists. The Artworks Alliance has been developed from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation funded Artworks scheme to support the development of those working in community arts, socially-engaged arts, voluntary arts, and arts in education and learning. Founding members of Artworks Alliance include some of the leading artform organisations for professional artists working in participatory settings: a-n; Artquest; engage (for visual arts); NAWE (literature); People Dancing (formerly the Foundation for Community Dance); and Sound Sense (music) - who between them represent some 24,000 participatory artists. Click here for more information.
Bema: Call for contributors
Bema is looking for writers on an ongoing and voluntary basis interested in increasing the diversity of arts coverage online and promoting cultural events and exhibitions. They are seeking to build a team of contributors that includes culturally diverse writers from all over the world. Their aim is to rotate contributors to enable Bema to publish weekly or biweekly articles. If you are interested in writing for Bema, please apply to Ngoma Bishop by emailing ngoma@bemaarts.org with the following details: your contact number, a CV (or summary of skills and experience), areas of interest, and writing approach (review, analytical, comical or satirical, strategic etc.)
Creative and Credible survey
Creative and Credible, a one year knowledge exchange project between the University of the West of England and arts and health consultancy Willis Newson, is surveying arts and health practitioners to explore issues that arise in evaluating arts and health activities. The project seeks to strengthen practice-led evaluation for the arts and health sector by providing resources and training that will enable practitioners to broaden their evaluation knowledge and skills and engage with commissioning agendas. Click here to take the survey.
More in arts and criminal justice...
- The Paul Hamlyn Foundation has unveiled its new strategy with a focus on maximising the impact of the arts on society. Click here for information.
- The International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts has published an evidence review of the impacts of performing arts on society. Click here to download the review.
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Resources and publications
Information on Transforming Rehabilitation
Clinks have updated their Transforming Rehabilitation (TR) webpages. While there is no new information to share from the Ministry of Justice, they have restructured the pages to ensure that the information continues to be well organised and easy to access. In this section of the website, you can also find details of their 'Track TR' project, tracking the impact of TR on the voluntary sector. Visit the webpages here.
Changing prisons, saving lives
'Harris Review: Changing Prisons, Saving Lives' is the report from an independent review into self-inflicted deaths of 18-24 year olds in National Offender Management Service (NOMS) prison custody, led by Lord Toby Harris. Lord Harris said: "listening to the harrowing stories of families who have lost their loved one through a self-inflicted death in custody has been a humbling experience, and one that the panel and I will remember for a long time. We will also remember the frank, insightful, and often very brave, accounts given to us by the young adults who were, or who still are, in custody." Download the report here.
Prison inspector's annual report
Nick Hardwick, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales, has published his Annual Report 2014-15. It is his fifth and final annual report as Chief Inspector of Prisons. He says, "...new Ministers are continuing to talk of rehabilitation, further reductions in public expenditure are likely to affect all the sectors we inspect and important decisions have to be taken about the Inspectorate itself. As plans and policies for the future are developed, there are some important lessons to be learnt from the last five years. This report provides a new benchmark against which progress to date and future progress can be measured." Download the report here.
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This newsletter is written monthly by Kate Davey.
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Clinks manages the National Alliance for Arts in Criminal Justice and is the legally accountable body for all official National Alliance for Arts in Criminal Justice activity. Clinks is a registered charity registration no 1074546 and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales no 3562176