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
In tribute to Abdul Shayek
The National Criminal Justice Alliance (NCJAA) and Clinks are sending love to the family and loved ones of our dear friend and colleague Abdul Shayek, Artistic Director and Joint CEO of Tara Theatre. Abdul made an impact on all those he connected with through his work and in our sector and leaves many with fond memories and heartfelt emotion. From everyone here at the Alliance, we will continue with the kindness and love Abdul left through his work.
Cross-cultural arts practice with young people
14 September | Newcastle | free
The NCJAA is working alongside our Clinks Area Development Officer for the North to bring you an exciting event to bring together organisations working, or with an interest in, working with young people in criminal justice through the arts or other ways.
We are delighted to announce that Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuiness will provide the key note address.
We are excited to meet in person this September and gather as a network around the theme of working creatively with young people in a criminal justice context. You will have the chance to hear from expert speakers in both practice and research, meet others working in the field, and share good practice within the network. It will create a space to step away from the day job and provide an opportunity to share good practice, strengthen partnership working, and discuss any opportunities or challenges your organisation may be currently facing.
This event is co-delivered in partnership with Northumbria University who will be sharing their latest findings following the publication of The stolen generations case study via the NCJAA website last year. Active Clinks member and legacy NCJAA Inspiring Futures partner Helix Arts will also share insights to their work before we invite forum discussion and networking. Book now
NCJAA Writing Development Workshops
October 2023 – February 2024
The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) is excited to revive its writing development training programme for individuals and organisations delivering arts-based services and projects in the criminal justice system. Working in partnership with the Royal Literary Fund, a programme of free, digital workshops will be held throughout 2022/23 to teach vital writing development skills for reports, case studies, and funding applications. Visit the NCJAA website for information about the workshop programme.
Save the Date: Clinks annual conference 2023 - Making race and justice everybody’s business
22 November | Resource for London, Holloway
Clinks are theming their annual conference this year around race and justice. We know that racially minoritised people are overrepresented and unheard when coming into contact with the criminal justice system and that despite continuous efforts made to tackle fundamental flaws within the system, progress remains slow. That is why this year, we would like to hand the baton over to you! We invite members of organisations that are led by/for racially minoritised people to come forward and share their expertise with the sector, as we believe that race and justice should be a matter that every organisation working within criminal justice seeks to address and invite non-specialist organisations to learn from the experts with us.
We are always open to ideas that would help make the day as informative and useful to the sector as possible, if there is anything that you feel you would like to add to the conference or you are interested in partnering with us, we are inviting Clinks members to deliver sessions at our annual conference this year. We are looking for interactive workshops that are in line with the theme: Making race and justice everybody's business. If you are interested in delivering a session, please complete this submission form by Friday 8 September. If you have any questions, please email us at events@clinks.org
Black History Month 2023
This year’s Black History Month honours Black women’s achievements, amplifies their voices, and challenges the systems that oppress them. If you or your organisation have any Black History Month plans, opportunities or events that you would like included in next month’s newsletter and Clinks’ Black History Month events promotion, please submit your information via our online form by Monday 18 September.
Just Time book launch and "Writing Within Walls" project
As a lived experience, equality and diversity founded and led writing and publishing social enterprise, Arkbound Foundation has given people affected by our criminal justice system a voice since 2015. Their latest new publication; JUST TIME, "the experience of custody” is one most of us only usually hear about from outside. This book sets out to reveal facets of prison life in a depth and diversity never covered before. Right from the opening passages, readers will discover aspects of the justice system that simultaneously shock and enthral. Against the backdrop of severe budget cuts, rising violence and suicides, the door is thrown open to reveal the consequences of hastily enforced policies – with legal challenges brought before the High Court.
Arkbound Foundation also provides free mentoring for prisoners and people with experience of custody, to publish stories and poems. Learn more about the work of Arkbound and the Writing Within Walls project
Hear Me Out's new campaign - “More than a label”
The campaign is about the weight that people feel of being labelled an “asylum seeker” and what that label carries – in terms of their stories being overlooked, their voices silenced, and their identities diminished. The campaign was co-created with four of Hear Me Out’s participants and one of their artists - Diana*, Kwaku, Jonathan, Fernando* and Téa - all of whom have lived experience of immigration detention or asylum hotels. Hear Me Out is embedding co-creation across the organisation and this is the first time that they have taken the approach into their fundraising. Read more
Inspiring Futures Conference
29 September | Cambridge |free
The Inspiring Futures programme is a four-year collaboration between the University of Cambridge Institute of Criminology and the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance. Working with partner organisations who have provided creative activities in prisons and community justice settings, the ESRC-funded research has been an evaluation of the meaning and impact of arts in criminal justice settings. To see some examples of the creative work involved, take a look at the Inspiring Futures online exhibition.
At this one-day conference, the research team: Professor Loraine Gelsthorpe, Dr Caroline Lanskey and Dr Sarah Doxat-Pratt, will share findings from their research and invite responses from scholars and practitioners. The day will include time for discussion and Q&A, as well as opportunities for networking and finding out more about the creative work involved in the Inspiring Futures project. A full schedule will be released nearer the time. Find out more and register via Eventbrite
Hampshire Arts and Women's sector collaboration event: Caring for the Caretakers
13 October | Hampshire |free
The NCJAA is working alongside Clinks Women's Network and member organisation BearFace Theatre to bring you an exciting event that will bring together practitioners and organisations working, or with an interest in, working with women in criminal justice through the arts or other ways. The purpose of this event is:
- To focus on women/people who are working with women in the criminal justice system - (specifically Hampshire & IOW area focus), and people working towards the welfare of women in the area.
- To bring both practitioners and strategic leaders, in the voluntary sector, statutory agencies and local creative orgs together. A chance to learn more about and strengthen the networks that support us as well as enhance signposting for service users.
- To offer a space where we can connect, reflect and restore. Considering our true trauma informed practice and reflective needs as practitioners.
Bread and Roses by Enfield People's Theatre
22 September | London | £5
This September, Fore Street library will host Enfield People's Theatre's performance of Bread and Roses. The show is part of the Untold Stories series in Enfield. Come along and uncover the story of suffragettes and going to war. This performance explores themes of homelessness, eviction and the cost of living crisis. Find out more
New Starts and Prison Arts Symposium
28 September, 7:30pm | Liverpool | free
Liverpool Hope University, Novus and TATE Liverpool invite you to ‘New Starts and Prison Arts’, a day's event on the very latest progressive education practices in prison arts in the UK. The day will consist of keynote addresses from leading professors in academia, hands-on practical workshops for new ideas for prison arts - from those working in prison education, and the establishment of a practice forum for prison arts for the UK. Read more
Making Change: CHWA National Conference 2023
Barnsley, South Yorkshire |
Wednesday 11 October, 13:00 – 17:30 (18:30 – 21:00 evening event)
Thursday 12 October, 10:00 – 17:30 (17:30 – 21:00 informal gathering)
Friday 13 October, 09:45 – 13:00
The Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance (CWHA) know that creativity and culture are essential parts of a healthy society. They know that community and equality must be at the heart of redesigning systems that improve wellness of people and the planet. They know that there are countless organisations and individuals working tirelessly to champion this approach in their work.
But what next? What needs to happen at a personal, organisational, and political level to bring creativity and health together and cultivate change? And how can we lever this collective change whilst maintaining our own wellness?
The CHWA have reserved a limited number of bursary places for Barnsley creatives and practitioners in South Yorkshire.
Book your in-person tickets here
Book your digital tickets here
Read the conference programme here
Arts Council England Investment Principles Podcast: Environmental Responsibility
How does art link to climate change? Can artists' stories drive structural change at a corporate level? In this episode of Arts Council England‘s Investment Principles podast, join Mya-Rose Craig, Ellie Harrison and Benjamin Yeoh as they explore what is the connection between art and climate change and how can the storytelling skills of individual artists drive structural change at a corporate level.
Featuring:
• Mya-Rose Craig - ornithologist, environmentalist, diversity activist as well as an author, speaker and broadcaster
• Ellie Harrison - artist, activist & author
• Benjamin Yeoh – playwright, investor and podcast host
Ready to become a Global Shaper?
Are you between 18-27 years-old? Committed to working with peers to improve your community? Interested in developing your leadership potential? Willing to support fellow Shapers in their personal and professional development? You might be ready to engage in the community and follow the Global Shapers Community Charter. The Global Shapers Community believes in a world in which young people are at the heart of solution-building, policy-making and lasting change. Their mission is to inspire, empower and connect young leaders to reach their full potential, shape decision-making processes and drive positive change in their communities and the world. Get involved in your local area
Imprisoned Art: Prison writing project
Imprisoned Art are a small non-profit aiming to shine light on the abundance of talent in prisons and secure hospitals. They are currently collecting submissions for a self-published book of art and writings on the theme of “the experience of imprisonment”. Questions and submissions can be sent to imprisonedart@outlook.com
Writers & Artists (W&A) Working-Class Writers' Prize 2023
Application deadline - Monday 2 October
Are you a writer who identifies as working-class? If you are looking for an opportunity to hone your writing craft and let your work take centre stage, then this prize is for you. This competition is both a celebration of stories as a mode of communication, and a reminder of how vital it is that everyone can share their ideas and experiences via the written word. The W&A Working–Class Writers’ Prize includes a generous mentoring package as well as cash and other membership / training benefits and resources. Find out information including how to apply
Vacancies
Company Manager (Maternity Cover) - Pan Intercultural Arts
Operations Assistants - Clean Break
Freelance music leaders – Sing Inside
Finance and Operations Manager – The Irene Taylor Trust
Take a creative break
Coming up on 5 September, artists around the globe will join in celebrating World Drop Art Day. The project is the brainchild of Utah illustrator Jake Parker to help people feel more connected to one another and create bonds between strangers through creating and giving away art. Art dropping consists of artists hiding their craft - from sculpture, pottery, jewellery, photography, books to paintings, and even concert and theatre tickets - so our communities can embark on an art treasure hunt. If you are not hiding something, you best get hunting!
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
The next NCJAA monthly newsletter will be sent on Thursday 28 September. 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 submit your information via our online form by Monday 18 September.
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This newsletter is written monthly. Email artsalliance@clinks.org if you wish to submit any news.
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