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
September highlights
Welcome to the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance's (NCJAA) September newsletter. We have new dates for our popular training course 'Introduction to arts in prisons' and new training to support arts organisations positively navigate conversations with the media about their work in criminal justice settings. Find out more about these one-day courses below and read on for the latest news and opportunities in arts, culture and criminal justice.
Introduction to arts in prisons
11th November | Manchester | From £75
This one-day training course aims to provide an overview of the current criminal justice system and a practical insight to working inside prisons. Participants will be taken through the process of delivering sustainable arts and cultural activities in prisons, from idea formation through to evaluation. It is aimed at those with an arts background, but with little or no previous experience of working in criminal justice settings. Book here
Arts in criminal justice media training - with the Prison Radio Association
27th November | Birmingham | From £75
Learn how to positively navigate conversations with the media about work in arts and the criminal justice system. This one-day training course aims to support and prepare our network to appropriately deal with media enquiries and promote its work with confidence and expertise, across media and social media platforms. The course will be delivered by three members of the Prison Radio Association, a prison-based charity that produces and delivers National Prison Radio (which airs in more than 100 prisons). Book here
François Matarasso: A space to think
15th October | London | £10
There are a few tickets remaining for our annual lecture honouring Anne Peaker's work and legacy, which forms the basis of the NCJAA today. This year, keynote speaker François Matarasso will consider the historical context of participatory arts in criminal justice settings and Anne Peaker’s contribution to this. The event will include a performance of an arts project developed in criminal justice settings, a Q&A and networking drinks. Book here
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
We will be sending our next newsletter on Thursday 31st October. Please email dora.dixon@clinks.org with any news, research, events, opportunities or blog proposals by Tuesday 22nd October.
Clean Break’s new work showcase
4th October | London | £5
See two new works in development from former Clean Break members Sonya Hale and Daisy King at The Bunker Theatre. Each play is the culmination of a commission awarded by Clean Break to writers who have experience of the criminal justice system and have been engaged with the company as members for many years. Book here
Koestler Arts at Southbank Centre
5th October – 24th October | London | From free
Koestler Arts presents a series of events to coincide with its annual exhibition of arts from prisons at Southbank Centre, this year titled Another Me. Most events are free to attend and include performances from Liberty Choir, The Irene Taylor Trust and Synergy Theatre Project. Book here
Performances explore the price of punishment
8th October | London | £5
Arts and criminal justice organisation Safe Ground has given nine emerging artists the opportunity to create a performance in response to the title The Price of Punishment. The artists have produced an immersive performance that highlights stereotypes, social issues and power struggles in the criminal justice system. The performance will be followed by a group discussion. Book here
Learning Social - arts in prison
14th October | Birmingham | £3
Ikon Gallery hosts a discussion of arts in prison chaired by Dean Kelland, the gallery’s artist in residence at HMP Grendon. Artist Lisa Selby and speaker Elliot Murawski confront issues of addiction, mental health and incarceration, and Sarah McNally, Youth Programme Coordinator at the Hepworth Wakefield, shares experiences of working between youth offending and gallery spaces. Book here
Prison history performance
14th November | Stafford | Free
Ghost Songs of the Conscientious Objectors is the final piece in Rideout's quartet of theatre projects exploring aspects of prison history. Developed in partnership with historical researchers at University of Warwick, Ghost Songs will take place over two weeks at HMP Stafford and will be co-facilitated by The Irene Taylor Trust. The project examines the impact of World War I conscientious objectors on prison and will culminate in a secular service at the prison. To book your place please contact saul@rideout.org.uk
Local prison collaborates on new mural for Ipswich
A mural created at a local prison has been installed on Ipswich Waterfront for Art Eat Festival. Supported by the NCJAA’s professional mentoring scheme, the project’s Creative Producer delivered nine design workshops with residents at a local prison and the artist EVEWRIGHT in order to produce the finished piece. Find out more here
Government responds to DCMS Select Committee
The government has responded to a report by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee into the social impact of participation in culture and sport. Clinks and the NCJAA provided evidence to the committee, whose final report recommended that the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) should jointly commission an independent review of arts provision in prisons. While not committing to a full review, the government has said it will conduct a stocktake exercise through the Arts Forum to identify opportunities to increase access to arts for people in prison. Find out more here
Government reshuffle
Edward Argar MP has been appointed Minister for Health and is replaced by Chris Philp MP as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Justice. The NCJAA would like to thank the outgoing minister for his keen support of arts and culture in criminal justice, including his endorsement of our latest guide. At the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Rebecca Pow MP is replaced by Helen Whatley MP as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State. We look forward to working with the new ministers to ensure arts and culture are used within the criminal justice system as a springboard to positive change.
Dance in a Burkina Faso prison
A Burkinabé choreographer prepares a group of men from Bobo-Dioulasso prison to perform outside the prison walls for the first time in The Dancer Thieves, a new documentary from Banyak Films. According to the filmmakers, it should be “closely watched by anyone who questions the power of art for its healing properties or who may see prisoners as sub-citizens or lost causes.” The 47-minute documentary is available to watch online on Al Jazeera. Watch the documentary here
Programme and Evaluation Co-ordinator vacancy
Music In Detention (MID) is looking for an experienced arts or community co-ordinator to join its team [£22,464 pro rata, London, part-time]. The successful candidate will organise the delivery and evaluation of MID’s activities and programme, taking music-making into immigration detention centres and taking detainees’ music out again into the community. The deadline to apply is 11th October. Apply here
Join the RR3
Clinks is seeking seven senior voluntary sector leaders to join the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3). The RR3 meets quarterly to advise the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service and build a more effective partnership between the voluntary sector and the government. Clinks is looking for people with specialist expertise in the following areas: employment support; education; families support; services for black, Asian and minority ethnic people; health and wellbeing; services for people at high risk of harming others; and prisons and resettlement policy. Applicants must submit a CV and covering letter by 17th October. Find out more here
Grants for a more accessible work environment
Access to Work provides grants that remove barriers disabled people face in paid employment, and covers travel, equipment and support workers. A new guide from Disability Arts aims to help arts and cultural workers use this resource. The guide is available as a summary video with British Sign Language (BSL) and captions, an audio version, and in easy read format. Read the guide here
Awards for grassroots charities
The Centre for Social Justice Awards gives grassroots charities and social £10,000 to scale their impact and puts them in the spotlight for senior politicians, philanthropists and business and charity leaders to be inspired by and learn from. The Criminal Justice category will be looking for charities working to prevent crime, protect victims and turn around the lives of those involved in the criminal justice system. Applications close on 7th October. Apply here
Funding for rehabilitation projects
Applications are open for the Triangle Trusts’ Development Grants for organisations working to rehabilitate prisoners or former prisoners. Grants are available from £10,000 up to £80,000 for a duration of six months to three years. Apply by 22nd October. Apply here
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This newsletter is written monthly by Dora Dixon. Email dora.dixon@clinks.org if you wish to submit any news.
Clinks manages the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) and is the legally accountable body for all official NCJAA activity.
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