The newsletter for arts organisations working in criminal justice.
In this month's issue...
NCJAA: 2022 bursary scheme
The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) is excited to launch its 2022 bursary scheme. Delivered in partnership with Arts Council England, grants totalling £16,000 are available to support arts practitioners working in criminal justice. The scheme launches at a challenging time for the arts in criminal justice sector as we continue to recover from the impact of Covid-19 and aims to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent anyone from accessing the training and development opportunities they now need. Applications are now open for grants of up to £500. The deadline for applications is 29 May 2022. For more information about eligibility and how to apply, please visit the NCJAA bursary webpage here
Navigating the criminal justice system workshop
12 May | online | from £50
Are you an arts practitioner new to working or volunteering in the criminal justice system? Do you have volunteers or staff members who want to increase their understanding the system? Clinks is offering a three-hour online workshop for voluntary sector staff and volunteers to increase awareness of how the criminal justice system is organised. The workshop will explore structures within the criminal justice system, including government departments, regional and local statutory agencies, and the role of voluntary sector organisations, the services they provide and work supporting people. Book your place here
State of the sector 2021
This is the eighth year that Clinks has conducted research into how voluntary organisations in the criminal justice system are faring. The research reflects the views of Clinks members, including many arts organisations who were engaged with during the research, and provides a comprehensive picture of the 2020/21 financial year. It focusses on the challenges faced navigating Covid-19 after years of austerity and public service reform; and highlights the voluntary sector’s ongoing resilience and creativity. Read the findings and download the report here
Theatre performance: cell outs
3-14 May | Central London | From £12
A dark comedy written and performed by two ex-prison officers, Cell Outs follows the true experiences of two young women, as they stare down the injustices of the UK prison system and attempt to unpick the dangerous effects of power and privilege. It is being performed at the King’s Head Theatre in Islington and tickets can be booked by here
Exhibition and panel discussion: expressing freedom in confinement
5 May | Warwick | Free
Artwork created by artists in prison will be exhibited at Warwick Law School. Expressing Freedom in Confinement will also include a panel discussion with Gary Mansfield (Koestler Arts board member), Dr Valerie Hayaert (academic specialising in the dialogue between art and law) and Jess Collier (art psychotherapist and academic). For more information, email Anastasia Chamberlen or register here
Exhibition: art in lockdown
6-12 May | Bristol | Free
'Art in Lockdown' is a new exhibition from Prodigal Arts which represents how the creative arts can be an incredibly powerful outlet during times of uncertainty. Prodigal Arts supports people in prison and post-release to unlock their creative potential. Prodigal Arts’ creatives have used the lockdown to nurture their talents, finding a sense of self-worth and satisfaction by creating exciting and inspired artworks. Find out more and book your place here
Celebration of Irish music and dancing
7 May | Central London | £15
Irish Chaplaincy, a charity dedicated to supporting Irish prisoners across England and Wales, is hosting a ‘Celebration of Irish Music and Dancing’. The event takes place in Central London and will include a varied line up of singers and dancers to create a warm and enjoyable evening. Book your place here
Manchester crime and justice festival
10 May | Online | Free
Tickets are now available for the Manchester Crime and Justice Film Festival. The event will celebrate artistry, dedication and the power of imagination within the criminal justice system. The event will live stream two Koestler award-winning films (‘Earl’ and ‘Don’t Quit!’) followed by a live Q&A session with a panel drawn from HMP Wayland, the Langdon Hospital and Koestler Arts. Register for tickets here
Theatre performance: invisible sentence
17 May | Brighton | £17
Invisible Sentence is a new play based on the experiences of real women with a child or partner serving a prison sentence. It returns to The Old Market as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival. The play has been developed in partnership with Uninterrupted Theatre Collective, Sussex Prisoners Families and Culture Shift. Written by Brighton playwright Dinos Aristidou after interviewing women with children or partners serving prison sentences, their experiences speak of the stigma and challenges families face when someone they love is sentenced. Book your ticket here
Paid opportunity for artists: Holloway prison project
A group of academics are creating a project that explores the memories and stories of the now closed Holloway Prison in London. They are seeking an artist with lived experience of imprisonment to work with them on creating a booklet that captures women’s narratives of sound, memory and haunting as they return to Holloway for a series of theatre workshops. The illustration work will be paid at Artist Union rates. For further information, please email Rachel Seoighe and Carly Guest with a sample of your work (or link to your website or social media account(s)).
Paid opportunity for artists: Prisoners Education Trust
Prisoners Education Trust is seeking to commission an artist or designer with lived experience of the criminal justice system to create powerful artwork for its organisation values; and a photographer to capture images of learners in prison. For further information about these opportunities, please email Calum Walker.
Vacancies
Office Manager, Koestler Arts
Finance Officer, Clean Break
Administrator, Clean Break
Trustee, Good Vibrations
Take a creative break
Try something different and artistic this month with this blind drawing task presented by Koestler Arts. Perhaps your etchings will make you the next Tracy Emin or David Hockney!
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
The next NCJAA monthly newsletter will be sent on Thursday 26 May. If you have any news, opportunities or events relating to art organisations or projects within the criminal justice system that you would like included, please email info@artsincriminaljustice.org.uk by Monday 16 May 2022.
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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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