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 and publications
- Resources and opportunities
Welcome to our new manager
We’re thrilled to announce that Janette Kilner has joined the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance as the new NCJAA Manager to lead our team into the future. Janette has a background in Applied Drama and Theatre and is passionate about the transformational power of arts in the criminal justice system, bringing her own experiences, sense of compassion and drive to her work. Janette says, “I’m looking forward to working with the team to continue to support the network of fantastic arts in criminal justice practitioners who dedicate their time to transforming people’s lives.” As we welcome our new Manager, we’ll also be transitioning to a new governance model so we can continue to support, promote and represent the sector. Read more about Janette and the upcoming changes to our governance here
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
We will be sending our next newsletter on Thursday 26th August. Please email info@artsincriminaljustice.org.uk with any news, research, events, opportunities or blog proposals by Tuesday 19th August.
One-man show explores experiences of the justice system
3rd August | London | £15
‘Every Sinner has a Future’ is a one-man show written and performed by actor, workshop facilitator and education coordinator Frank Skully about his lived experiences of the criminal justice system. Through Frank's story, the piece questions the audience's preconceptions of the criminal justice systems and those within it, and asks whether it is nurture or nature that dictates Frank’s destiny. Find out more and book a ticket here
Roundtable from Young Musicians for Social Justice
3rd August | online | free
How can music bring about social justice? Join Leeds-based group Young Musicians for Social Justice (YMSJ) for an afternoon of thought-provoking content, performances and small-group discussions based on this question. Guests include the Choir with No Name, an association of choirs for homeless and marginalised people, and others previously featured on YMSJ’s podcast series which talks to music practitioners working in criminal justice and other socially engaged settings. Book a place here
Is Anyone There? Outdoor theatre by prison leavers in Leeds
28th - 29th August | Leeds | pay what you decide
The latest show from imagine if theatre company, Is Anyone There?, debuts over the August bank holiday. This open air performance will be devised by participants from imagine if’s new arts and rehabilitation programme, Phoenix, which works with prison leavers and people with convictions to support their development. Through arts and employability workshops, creative experimentation, and holistic mentoring, participants are encouraged to develop their ideas and build confidence. These techniques will be developed to produce a show for a public audience with the support of a full professional creative team. Book your tickets here
Training: trauma-informed awareness in a justice system context
July – November | online | from £114 + VAT
One Small Thing’s ‘Becoming Trauma Informed Awareness Training’ is designed to support staff to develop an understanding of the dynamics and process of trauma, inform practice and support system change. The aim of the one-day course is to help participants understand the pervasiveness of violence and the impact it has upon people, to know the definitions of trauma, to understand how knowledge about trauma can make your work easier and safer and to learn about self-care for you and those you work with. One Small Thing aims to train prisons and frontline justice system staff in understanding and responding to the effects of trauma. Find out more and register here
Reopening for everyone: guidelines from Arts Council England
Following the removal of Covid-19 restrictions in England on 19th July, Arts Council England (ACE) has issued guidelines on how arts organisations can take steps to ensure they continue to operate in a safe, cautious, and accessible way. This includes taking care to understand and implement their responsibilities under the Equalities Act; following ongoing public health advice regarding Covid-19; talking to disabled and clinically vulnerable practitioners, employees and audiences to understand their needs; and considering ACE's Seven Inclusive Principles. ACE has also said it strongly supports government recommendations on continued wearing of facemasks in crowded and enclosed spaces. Read more here
Digital Culture Network extended until 2024
Arts Council England (ACE)'s Digital Culture Network, which provides resources and support to help arts organisations develop their digital skills, has been extended until 2024. The network features a wide range of online expertise on topics including digital strategy, digital marketing, social media, eCommerce, data analytics and insight, search engine marketing, websites, content creation, ticketing, and email marketing. If you're in receipt of, or eligible for but not currently receiving, ACE Funding, you can also access free one-to-one support for your organisation from ACE’s Tech Champions. Find out more here
New prison radio programme: the transformative power of music
Liberty Choir will soon be launching its latest collaboration with Prison Radio Association thanks to funding from Arts Council England. The radio programme, “48 Songs: How Music Saved My Life” will share the transformative power of music through interviews with former prisoners and key supporters of the Liberty Choir programmes. Following on from the success of “The Six Building Blocks of Modern Music”, this weekly programme will explore the emotional impact of music on people in prison and inspire listeners to explore their own feelings and responses to music. The programme will begin in September alongside, Liberty Choir’s in-person choir programmes, subject to Covid-19 restrictions, helping to meet the long-term ambition of making Liberty Choir accessible to every prisoner in the UK. Read more here
Nominations now open: CJA Awards and CJA Media Awards
Nominations are now open for the Criminal Justice Alliance’s annual CJA Awards. The CJA Awards celebrate the outstanding individuals and organisations helping to make the criminal justice system fairer and more effective, supported by the Barrow Cadbury Trust. The Criminal Justice Alliance also holds annual Media Awards, which celebrate the journalists, documentary makers and digital media champions shining a spotlight on criminal justice, challenging misperceptions and improving public understanding. This year there are two new award categories to carry on the legacy of Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones, who were tragically killed in the attack at Fishmongers’ Hall in November 2019. The deadline for nominations is 27th September. Find out more here
Podcast: the power of music in prison
Music charity Finding Rhythms' recent podcast explores wide-ranging topics from the world of music and criminal justice. Through interviews with music professionals and graduates of Finding Rhythms' programmes, the podcast discusses everything from finding your inner singing voice and what record labels look for, to the history of house music and what it takes to produce a record from prison. Past guests have included opera singers, rappers, award-winning producers, poets and many more. Listen to the podcast here
Blog and consultation: HMP Holloway past and future
Five years ago, HMP Holloway in North London shut its gates for the last time. In this blog, Working Chance looks at what has happened to the former prison that saw so many women pass through its gates and shares hopes for a woman-focused future of the site. Since its closure, campaigners and organisations such as Reclaim Holloway and Community Plan For Holloway have worked tirelessly to make sure that the former site of HMP Holloway is turned into a space that benefits the local community and subverts the prison's dark history by creating a positive space for women who need support to avoid becoming caught up in the criminal justice system. The masterplan for the site has now been released and Peabody Housing Association is inviting feedback on it as part of a final consultation before plans are submitted to Islington Council for approval. Read the blog here and give your feedback on the masterplan before 30th July here
Youth Music Incubator Fund opens third application round
Apply by 20th August
The third round of the Youth Music Incubator Fund is now open and is looking to fund music organisations to provide creative projects, career development support and holistic support to young people. The fund is designed to help open up access to sustainable careers in music for people aged 18-25, particularly those who are underrepresented, and to support creative employers to innovate and incubate new and diverse talent. Grants of £5,000 to £30,000 are available to businesses, collectives, and not-for-profits working in the music industries. Apply here
Funding for community projects to relieve suffering, hardship or poverty
Apply by 2nd August
Grants of up to £1,000 are available from Leeds Building Society for UK registered charities undertaking projects to support those who are disadvantaged. The grants aim to support community-based projects that relieve suffering, hardship or poverty. The grants usually fund items of capital expenditure which will directly help those in need. Find out more and apply here
Countryside access funding for disadvantaged communities in Wales
Apply by 2nd September
Funding is available to not-for-profit organisations in Wales working with excluded and disadvantaged communities to identify and remove barriers to community involvement in nature through the ‘Local Places for Nature – Breaking Barriers’ programme. Offering grants of between £30,000 to £100,000, the funding will encourage communities including racially minoritised people and refugee groups to connect with the nature on their doorsteps. The programme will also be able to provide funding for communities in the top 30% most deprived and disadvantaged communities in Wales, as identified by the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation. Find out more and apply here
To search for more funding opportunities, check the Clinks funding portal here (only available for Clinks members).
Jobs
Project Manager, Pan Intercultural Arts
Company Manager, Pan Intercultural Arts
Female Enhancement Worker, Anawim
Take a creative break: go for a virtual walk around the UK gardens that have inspired poets and artists
Want to include your organisation’s opportunity in the next newsletter?
If you’d like us to feature your job or volunteer post in our newsletter, please get in touch with us on info@artsincriminaljustice.org.uk and post your vacancy to the Clinks jobs board here. We are only able to share vacancies posted to the Clinks jobs board.
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This newsletter is written monthly. Email info@artsincriminaljustice.org.uk if you wish to submit any news.
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