The newsletter for arts organisations working in criminal justice.
In this month's issue...
- National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance news
- Arts in criminal justice news and publications
- Events and training
- Resources and opportunities
Clinks annual conference & AGM 2022
22 November | Drapers' Hall, London | from £50
We are excited to announce the keynote speakers for our fast-approaching conference. We have invited Justin Russell, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Probation, and Kilvinder Vigurs, Regional Director for London Probation, to share views on their roles and the value of the voluntary sector to the probation service. Phil Copple, Director General Operations at HMPPS, will be speaking on the continued recovery for prisons following the pandemic and future plans for prison regimes. We have now reached capacity for this event however for a place on the waiting list or to find out more about our annual conference & AGM visit the Clinks website.
Introducing Lorraine Maher as NCJAA Manager
We are thrilled to introduce Lorraine Maher who has joined the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) as Manager to lead our team for the next year as of September 2022. As the network manager, Lorraine is responsible for overseeing the work of the Alliance. Alongside the team, she provides support to arts organisations working in criminal justice and advocates for greater access to arts and culture for people in the criminal justice system, as a springboard to positive change.
Free Writing development training
Throughout 2022/23 | online | free
The NCJAA’s training programme for individuals and organisations delivering arts-based services and projects in the criminal justice system continues through Autumn/Winter. Delivered in partnership with the Royal Literary Fund, this programme of free, online workshops, will be held throughout 2022/23 to teach vital writing development skills for reports, case studies, and funding applications. The upcoming ‘writing case studies’ workshop will take place on [24 November] and will be particularly helpful for less experienced writers. Find out more and book here.
Lady Unchained screening
This month, NCJAA Co-Chair Brenda Birungi AKA Lady Unchained took to Ljubljana, Slovenia, for the City of Women Festival with her film: ‘Buddleia - The Unchained Story’. Brenda is a poet, mentor and facilitator who's mission is to prove that there is life after prison. The documentary traces her experience of becoming an artist, and her own life after prison, through conversations with people who have been part of this journey.
New podcast: Life After Prison
The Prison Radio Association has launched a new podcast called 'Life After Prison'. It features incredible stories and advice for anyone who has spent time in prison or is close to anyone who has. Two episodes kick off the podcast series: 'The Sit Down' and 'Getting Out', hosted by presenters Zak and Jules, who both have lived experience of prison. Getting Out is packed with support and advice on the most important issues people face when first released. The Sit Down is a detailed conversation with those who have been through the prison system. Life After Prison is available on YouTube and all major podcast apps. Listen to the podcast here
Black History Month 2022
To celebrate Black History Month, NCJAA network member, Writing on the Wall, held an open mic night in partnership with Liverpool’s Unity Theatre and shared recordings from the brilliant performances on Twitter. Writing on the Wall also hosted the launch of Toxteth the Thrill of it All, by local writer PM Russell, which celebrates an area that is not just a beating heart of our Black communities in Liverpool but also the home of Writing on the Wall.
On 22 October, NCJAA network member, Odd Arts, collaborated as part of an evening of poetry, theatre and music inspired by the legacy of Len Johnson. The event links into Odd Arts’ ongoing work exploring the life of Manchester boxing legend Len Johnson, as a tool for challenging racial discrimination and celebrating our collective history.
NCJAA network member, Clean Break, held an interview with Amardeep Kainth, Director of Darvaja, to unpack this year's Black History Month theme of #ActionsNotWords, and to celebrate Black women activists from the past and present. Listen now.
Synergy Theatre Project: One Off
10 October – 26 November | Live Theatre, Newcastle | from £6
One Off is a project co-produced by NCJAA members Synergy Theatre Project, Live Theatre and Paines Plough. The show tells the story of North East born Ric Renton, who had a troubled upbringing that led to him spending his young adulthood in prison. Whilst in HMP Durham he learned to read and crucially to write. This is his story. Relived and performed by him. Book tickets here.
Koestler Arts: Freedom
27 October – 18 December | The Southbank Centre, London | free
Koestler Arts marks the 60th anniversary of the Koestler Awards with an ambitious exhibition of art by people in the UK’s criminal justice system, curated by Ai Weiwei. The Koestler Awards is an annual programme encouraging people from the UK’s criminal justice system to change their lives through the arts. Find out more here.
Glass House Theatre: Cell Outs tour
28 October, London | 24 - 26 November, Edinburgh | 27 January 2023, Oxford
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. Cell Outs is “an unflinching look into the pair’s anger and trauma”. It uses song, silliness and “hilariously biting criticisms” to explore the brutality of what prison officers face, people in prison endure, and the sacrifices made to survive. See twitter for more information.
Something To Take Off The Edge: A one-man Tragi-comedy written & performed by Errol McGlashan
18 -19 November | Theatre Delicatessen, London | pay what you can
Terry and Ezra are cellmates who form an unlikely friendship flirting with Shakespeare, Chocolate Hobnobs and heroin, while navigating long-term prison sentences during 1980s Britain. Often described as a force of nature, Brixton based Spoken Word Artist Errol McGlashan is making his debut into theatre with his first full length solo show. During this hour-long idiosyncratic performance he guarantees to keep you enthralled. Book tickets here
Centre for Cultural Value: Collaborate fund
The Centre for Cultural Value leads on the Collaborate fund; which is an open-call funding programme awarding between £5,000 and £20,000 to successful arts, cultural, heritage and screen practitioners and organisations. The fund is designed to support the development of rigorous, collaborative research projects into under-explored, sector-driven questions of cultural value. The Expression of Interest Form for cultural sector project proposals is now open. The deadline for applications is [25 November]. You can now start preparing to submit your application by reading the guidance information for cultural practitioners.
Radio TechCon: audio industry's technical and engineering event
Radio TechCon is aimed at those who love all things technology, broadcast engineering, radio or audio. A bursary scheme is in place to encourage people who may be facing barriers to attending professional events. This is in the form of a free ticket scheme, with assistance also available for travel and accommodation if needed. All the information about how to apply is here. If you have any questions, contact team@radiotechcon.com or visit their website.
Now open: UK & International Partner Awards for Disabled Artists
Unlimited are making £584,000 available in commissions for disabled artists. Unlimited commissions disabled artists to change perceptions of disabled people and strengthen our cultural sector. They will work in partnership to empower the newly commissioned artists and embed them further into the cultural landscape. Artists can apply for one national award and one international award. Find out more here
Exploring the history of prisoner education
This free course will tell you about the history of prison education in the British Isles. It will examine the motivations behind the provision of education, the types of learning that were offered and the experiences of people in prison, over the first 100 years of education in prisons. By juxtaposing the ambitions of reformers with the realities of the penal environment, this course will offer some reflections on the value of history to policymakers and practitioners involved in prison education and rehabilitation today. Find out more here.
Ministry of Justice grants for services that support people with shared protected characteristics
The first round of the Ministry of Justice’s grant competition was launched on 21 September for organisations delivering services to support racially minoritised people on probation. Grants will be funded through the Probation Service’s Regional Outcomes and Innovation Fund (ROIF) and aim to cover most activities that regions would wish to grant-fund. The deadline for application submissions is [02 November]. Read more about what funding is available in your area in Clinks’ blog here
Vacancies
Trustee - Koestler Arts
Musician-in-Residence, HMP Stafford - Changing Tunes
Digital Marketing and Sales Manager - Fine Cell Work
Trustees - Finding Rhythms
Creative Producer(s) - Helix Arts
Take a creative break
In between listening to the rich and inspiring podcasts around at the moment, take a break to indulge your imagination with 'The Last Show On Earth' podcast and ponder what and who you would want to see perform one last time if you knew the world was about to end.
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
The next NCJAA monthly newsletter will be sent on Thursday 27 October. 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 artsalliance@clinks.org by Monday 17 October 2022.
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This newsletter is written monthly. Email artsalliance@clinks.org if you wish to submit any news.
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