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
Register now: NCJAA presents Inspire
21 March | Rich Mix, London
The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) presents Inspire: Sustainability in the arts and criminal justice sector, featuring a showcase of the Inspiring Futures project and a gathering of network members at Rich Mix, London. On the 21 March the NCJAA network will gather for a day of performances, workshops, panel debate and networking. Attendees will be invited to spend their afternoon in participatory workshops themed around sustainability from an environmental perspective to one considering workforce wellbeing. The event will bring together our network of sector specialists and stakeholders to share and reflect on the impact and future sustainability of delivering arts in criminal justice settings. The showcase of work from the Inspiring Futures arts partners will be available to see at Rich Mix throughout the week of 20-26 March (see article below). Places for this sought after event are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. Book now here.
State of the sector
Clinks has launched its State of the sector 2022 report which explores the landscape of the criminal justice voluntary sector as it emerged from the pandemic into an increasingly challenging operational environment. Arts in criminal justice organisations were well represented in the State of the sector research. Respondents reported that the cost of living crisis is increasing the pressure on arts organisations’ operating costs and highlighted the importance of long-term unrestricted grant funding to provide more sustainable finances and allow them to build their capacity. Furthermore, the loss of specialist staff was seen as a greater threat to sustainability than finances. Challenges in filling vacancies with skilled and experienced staff are likely to be further exacerbated as the sector attempts to keep up with inflation. Read the full report here.
Performing Recovery Magazine launch
The Addiction Recovery Arts Network is a collaborative performance and research network connecting people interested in exploring addiction and recovery through the conduit of performance. NCJAA member organisation Geese Theatre are amongst those involved. The Network have launched a new magazine for artists and organisations involved in addiction-recovery arts. Read the magazine here.
NCJAA Inspiring Futures Festival of Arts in Criminal Justice
20-26 March | London | free
The Inspiring Futures Festival of Arts in Criminal Justice showcases the NCJAA Inspiring Futures project outcomes. The work of Inspiring Futures will be available to the public at Rich Mix cinema in East London and will be an immersive exhibition comprised of original music, artworks, films, radio plays and a special VR space, all demonstrating the incredible work of the Inspiring Futures partners. We will also be creating an immersive online exhibition, for anyone that is interested in attending but unable to come along in person.
Navigating the criminal justice system
10 March | online | from £50
Are you new to working or volunteering in the criminal justice system? Do you have volunteers or staff members who want to increase their understanding of the criminal justice system? Join us at this three-hour workshop for voluntary sector staff and volunteers in which we aim to increase awareness of how the criminal justice system is organised, the complexities within it, and how it works. The workshop provides the opportunity to explore and discuss the multifaceted nature of the criminal justice system to help you better navigate it in your work. The workshop will explore the different elements of, and the various structures within, the criminal justice system, including government departments, regional and local statutory agencies, and the role of the voluntary sector, the services they provide and its work in supporting people. Book your place here.
Synergy Theatre Project presents He Said She Said by Magero Otieno-Magero
10 March | London | from £5
NCJAA member organisation Synergy Theatre Project, works across theatre and the criminal justice system. Their latest production He Said She Said is performed and stage managed by a company of professionals and ex-prisoners. He Said She Said fuses dialogue, verse and drill exploring how social media platforms can be used and misused to share information and escalate conflict. Book tickets here.
Cultural eXchanges: Arts in Prisons
2 March | Leicester | from free
Cultural eXchanges is an annual arts festival in its 22nd year, organised by final year Arts and Festivals Management students with support from the lecturing staff at De Montfort University. This year’s Festival will take place from 27 February - 3 March 2023. On 2 March as part of their creative partnership, Dr Jacqui Norton (DMU) and Megg Nicol will discuss the impact and challenges of their project The Lyrics, The Music and The Money. They are currently in the post-production stage of their second TV series designed for prisoners to learn about the music industry. Find out more here.
Staging Rehabilitation: Training with Clean Break and Geese Theatre Company
9 March | Birmingham | £95
This masterclass is for both theatre artists and criminal justice professionals interested in arts in the criminal justice system. The day will be an introduction to the work of two of the leading organisations in this field: Clean Break and Geese Theatre Company. Anna Herrmann, Joint Artistic Director/Joint CEO at Clean Break, and Andy Watson MBE, Artistic Director/CEO of Geese, are long-standing members of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance and are regular visiting lecturers on a range of Applied Theatre under-graduate and post-graduate courses. Given Anna’s and Andy’s combined track record of 45 years with these companies, this training day will give participants a unique insight into the successful approaches of Clean Break and Geese in both prison and community settings. Through a practical learning setting involving drama and theatre exercises, group work and discussion, participants will; learn about the companies’ different working practices; understand the principles and theory underpinning their work and explore best practice in this field. Register to attend here.
Mayor’s Community Weekend - London
The National Lottery Community Fund are working with the Mayor of London to offer groups who want to run events or activities grants of up to £1,500, from a total available fund of £250,000. This is a chance for communities and groups to come together to celebrate London's resilience and diversity. The Mayor’s Community Weekend encourages people to engage with their local communities, bringing different groups together, strengthening connections and making new ones. Read more here.
Callout for writers and storytellers
Paines Plough are launching a new nationwide writer development programme in 2023 for storytellers and creatives with an interest in writing for stage and performance. They want to connect with anyone that writes, wants to write or has never considered writing before. This is an opportunity for poets, authors, musicians and storytellers in all their forms. If you have got an interest in writing for stage and performance, then this could be for you. Read more here.
2023 Koestler Awards
The 2023 Koestler Awards for arts in criminal justice is open for entries! The annual Awards welcomes all forms of art, writing, design and music from people in secure settings and on probation. Every entrant gets a certificate and many winners receive a cash prize. The total prize money is over £30,000. At the end of each Koestler Awards, Koestler Arts holds an exhibition at the Southbank Centre, London, featuring a selection of the creative work received. This year’s exhibition will be curated by poet, playwright and author Joelle Taylor. Entrants may send up to five creative works (with completed entry forms) by the closing date on 6 April 2023. Entry forms and further information can be found on the Koestler Arts website.
Community Leadership Development Programme
Barrow Cadbury Trust and Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales are looking for expressions of interest from organisations keen to get involved in the development and delivery of a pilot community leadership programme. The programme is specifically aimed at Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic leaders of voluntary and community organisations supporting people in or at risk of getting caught up in the criminal justice system.
Vacancies
Radio Producer - Prison Radio Association
Administrator - Give A Book
Mentoring Coordinator - Koestler Arts
Trustee and Chair - Clean Break
Company Assistant - Company of Others
Lead Producer - Tamasha
Take a creative break
Step away from your desk for a dance break every now and then. Studies have shown that movement breaks can improve our ability to concentrate, change the way we see our jobs, and even help us avoid the typical injuries that people get when they are tied to their desks all day.
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
The next NCJAA monthly newsletter will be sent on Thursday 30 March. 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 complete this form or email artsalliance@clinks.org by Monday 20 March 2023.
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This newsletter is written monthly. Email artsalliance@clinks.org if you wish to submit any news.
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