The newsletter for arts organisations working in criminal justice.
In this month's issue...
- National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance news
- Events and training
- Arts and criminal justice news
- Resources and publications
January highlights
Welcome to the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance's first newsletter of 2019. It's been an exciting start to the year and as usual, we have much to update you on. Last week we ran another successful arts in prisons introductory training session. Described by one participant as "wonderful, positive, engaging and inspiring", the day covered the unique challenges and opportunities when working in criminal justice settings and allowed the group to discuss and develop ideas for new creative projects. Elsewhere, creativity in criminal justice settings remains on the political agenda - read on to find out about our report referenced at a House of Lords debate at the end of last year, and a recent speech from Jeremy Wright MP recognising the value of arts in prisons.
Annual conference speakers announced
27th February | Birmingham | £90 (bursaries available)
How can the arts respond to issues faced by young people in the justice system? Our 2019 annual conference will aim to answer this question through workshops, performances, panel discussions and speeches. We're delighted to announce Intermission Youth Theatre will be performing. Also joining us on the day will be: Abid Hussain, Director of Diversity, Arts Council England; Neal Hazel, Youth Justice Board; Matt Griffiths, CEO, Youth Music; Dr Lynnette Kelly, West Midlands Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner; and (video message) input from Edward Argar MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice. Explore the programme here
House of Lords recognition
The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance’s Re-imagining Futures report was used by crossbench peer Baroness Bull at a House of Lords debate on how sport, recreation, and the arts contribute to the wellbeing of society. Before referencing the report's findings, she said, "Some of the most important contributions made by art to society are embedded in the individual experience [...] Perhaps nowhere is that more powerfully demonstrated than in the still-too-rare examples of art in prisons." Find out more here
Steering group update
The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance is taking a one-year break from elections to its steering group in order to support the organisation through a time of transition and growth. Elections to vacant positions in the steering group will take place from April 2020. We are committed to welcoming new and diverse representation and strongly encourage anyone interested to consider applying when vacancies open. We would also like to say thank you and good luck to The Change Collective's Dan Boyden, who, after three years, is stepping down from the steering group for new adventures in Japan. Find out more about our steering group here
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
We will be sending our next newsletter on Thursday 28th February. Please email dora.dixon@clinks.org with any news, research, events, opportunities or blog proposals by Tuesday 19th February.
Drawing Connections exhibition
Until 23rd April | Cambridge | Free
Drawing Connections is currently exhibiting work from an eight-week project that brought together residents at HMP Springhill with students from the local Banbury and Bicester College Art Faculty. During the project prisoners, staff and students practiced photography, willow weaving, creative writing, lino cutting, drawing, clay modelling and collage. Selected works will be shown alongside the library's permanent selection of Koestler Award artworks. Find out more and book here
There is a Field
20th February - 16th March | London | From £10
Synergy Theatre Project and Theatre503 present a production covering faith, death and family strife. Synergy began working with writer Martin Askew after his release from prison, commissioning 'There is a Field' as his debut, full-length play. Martin grew up in the East End and started writing after witnessing the murder of a close friend. His screenplay 'Snow in Paradise' was selected for the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. Find out more and book here
Performance at HMP Stafford
21st February | Stafford | Free
Following the success of last year's Past Time project, Rideout is embarking on three further performing arts residencies, known collectively as Staging Time. The first of these, 'The Biomechanics of the Treadwheel', will use a mix of parkour, contact improvisation, and Meyerhold’s actor training methodology to create a dance performance. If you would like to attend, please contact Rideout no later than 14th February. Find out more and book here
Clean Break at the Royal Court
27th February - 23rd March | London | From £12
'Inside Bitch' is a new production from women’s theatre company Clean Break, devised and performed by members Lucy Edkins, Jennifer Joseph, Terri Ann Oudjar and Jade Small. It is a playful subversion of the representation of women in prison and how things aren’t quite as seen on TV. Find out more and book here
The Stretch
6th - 15th March | Manchester | From free
Written with support from the pastoral team at HMP Forest Bank and based on true experiences, 'The Stretch' aims to spark discussion about how one decision changes the lives of many. The producers are looking for charities and local community groups (particularly those working in criminal justice settings) to see the play for free and take part in workshops in response, devising new pieces with the actors and director. Find out more and book here
Recognition for arts in prisons
The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has recognised the value of arts in prisons at a speech titled 'Value of Culture'. Speaking at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Jeremy Wright MP said, "I had the privilege of serving as Minister for Prisons and Rehabilitation for two years. In that time I came across offenders who painted, sculpted and even sang opera as part of their rehabilitation. And in many cases it worked. [...] We can all benefit from access to the arts and we should all be able to.” Find out more here
Koestler awards open for entries
The 2019 Koestler Awards for artwork made by people in prison, in other secure units or on probation are now open for entries. In 2019 the Koestler Trust aims to bring to life more written and recorded entries than in previous years, including an exhibition with Snape Maltings alongside the long-running collaboration with Southbank Centre. It is also continuing its partnership with Synergy Theatre Project to deliver the Stage Play category. The deadline for entries is 4th April. Find out more here
Update on prison education
Changes to new prison education contracts will allow governors to commission education services both through a core Prison Education Framework (PEF) contract, and directly – without subcontracting through their PEF provider – via a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). Following the launch of the DPS in November 2018, Francesca Cooney, Head of Policy at Prisoners' Education Trust, has written a useful update on the challenges and opportunities that will arise from 1st April when PEF contracts begin. Find out more here
Artist open-call
FACT Liverpool is seeking to commission an artist, art collective or design studio with experience of designing participatory learning experiences to create and produce a 'Knowledge Library' – the first commissioned artwork as part of the gallery’s Resolution project, a three-year art programme within the criminal justice system in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, HMP Altcourse and HMP Liverpool. The deadline for submissions is 8th February. Find out more and apply here
Cell furniture
Designers and researchers from the University of the Arts London would like to speak to people with experience of prison for a project to design better cell furniture. They need to understand how people use cell furniture, anything about cell furniture that works well, and things that could be improved. Participants will receive £30 vouchers as payment for an hour of their time. To find out more please email Lorraine Gamman, l.gamman@csm.arts.ac.uk
A decade of theatre in criminal justice settings
Playing for Time Theatre Company – Perspectives from the Prison is now available to order online. The book offers readers a resource for using theatre in criminal justice contexts, exploring ideas of identity, community, social justice and the power of the arts. The voices and reflections of participating prisoners are central to the book, presenting both an overview and analysis of a decade of the company’s work, as well as offering perspectives on the efficacy of arts practice in the UK criminal justice system from 2000 onwards. Find out more here
Participatory and community art
Community art worker, researcher and writer François Matarasso has published A Restless Art: How participation won, and why it matters. The book draws on four decades of Matarasso’s work making, observing, accompanying and researching participatory art in more than 40 countries. It covers the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance and Geese Theatre Company in a chapter titled “The intentions of participatory art”, exploring how art in criminal justice settings can create social change. Find out more here
Youth violence
East London charity Community Links has published the report Community Conversations: Unearthing community-led ideas for tackling youth violence. It highlights the multiple structural, systemic, environmental and individual factors that underline London’s challenges with serious youth violence and argues it cannot be treated solely as an issue of criminality and enforcement. Instead, a public health response to this issue must involve the whole community and work from the ground up. Read the report here
Youth funding
UK Youth is working to ensure the new £200m Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) being established by the Home Office is designed to involve and support the youth and community organisations already working hard to prevent young people from being drawn into violence, or to support young people who are victims or perpetrators of violence, to turn their lives around. If you would be interested in feeding into the design and delivery of the YEF and/or applying for funding from it once it’s up and running, email kayleigh.wainwright@ukyouth.org
Funding for former prisoners
The Forward Trust is on the lookout for applications from former prisoners who need help accessing finance or business advice. The social investment Forward Enterprise Fund is specifically focused on supporting businesses run by people with experience of the criminal justice system. It has access to £2 million of investment funds, and a further £500,000 to fund business support. Find out more here
This newsletter is written monthly by Dora Dixon. Email dora.dixon@clinks.org if you wish to submit any news.
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Clinks manages the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance and is the legally accountable body for all official National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance activity. Clinks is a registered charity registration no 1074546 and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales no 3562176.