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
Introducing the Inspiring Futures Online Exhibition
Inspiring Futures has been an ambitious programme of work led by the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) delivered over three years. The Inspiring Futures project was a unique collaboration bringing together leading arts in criminal justice organisations and the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Criminology. Through a ground-breaking artistic programme in prisons and the community with embedded participative research, the programme addressed why arts interventions impact on the lives of people in the criminal justice system and how to optimise the effect.
In March 2023 the NCJAA showcased the work and achievements of the project through a week-long exhibition at Rich Mix, London, which has been recreated in this online virtual exhibition for audiences to access remotely. The exhibition showcases the work of the Inspiring Futures project arts partners; Clean Break, Open Clasp, Helix Arts, Geese Theatre, Only Connect, Good Vibrations, The Irene Taylor Trust and Koestler Arts and Inspiring Futures project partners at the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Criminology. View the virtual exhibition here.
NCJAA Bursary Scheme 2023 – Opening 1 June
Apply by 14:00, Monday 3 July 2023
Applications will open for the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) 2023 bursary scheme on Thursday 1 June. The NCJAA bursary scheme is supported by Arts Council England, grants are available to support arts practitioners working in criminal justice. Grants of up to £250 are available. The deadline for applications is 14:00, Monday 3 July 2023. For more information about eligibility and how to apply, please visit the NCJAA bursary webpage.
NCJAA Arts in Criminal Justice Forum
13 June | online | free
The NCJAA Arts in Criminal Justice Forums are regular online events themed around important ideas and relevant developments in criminal justice. You will have the chance to hear from expert speakers in both practice and policy, meet others working in the field, and share good practice within the network. Throughout the calendar we will draw from key themes requested by our network, starting with our next event. Forums are open to all working, or with an interest in, arts in criminal justice. Book your place at our next forum here and view our future forum dates here.
NCJAA Blog
The NCJAA has recently added blog posts reflecting on 2023 for the NCJAA so far, focusing particularly on the Anne Peaker Lecture 2023 and Inspire: Sustainability in the Arts and Criminal Justice Sector. Whether you attended or not we hope you will enjoy our recaps of the events. Inspire was captured beautifully in the video by Alex Wylie, photography by Louise Mackey and illustrations by Jasmine Thompson. Our blog aims to present opinion-based pieces from our network.
We want to hear what you are doing in prisons or community settings – whether this is an arts intervention, research or perhaps a question or problem you have been facing or a good practice example you would like to highlight. Email artsalliance@clinks.org if you have a proposal for a blog post.
Teachers Talk Radio: Teaching Writing Behind Bars
Teachers Talk Radio hosted a second panel discussion on creative writing in prisons at the end of April. This time focus was on making creativity accessible to everyone in the jail. Joining host Christopher Vowles for the discussion were Dr Ella Simpson, a criminologist at University of Greenwich, specialising in the use of creative arts interventions in the criminal justice system, David Kendall, independent reading consultant and director of large-scale prison literary projects, and Marek Kazmierski, writer, publisher and translator, who has a wealth of experience in making creative writing accessible, not least, through his former-editorship of the prison journal, Not Shut Up. Listen online here.
NCJAA members Clean Break present Dixon and Daughters at the National Theatre
15 April – 10 June | London | from £20
Dixon and Daughters is a powerful story of family and forgiveness, a Clean Break play written by Deborah Bruce and co-produced with the National Theatre. Picture this, Mary has just been released from prison. She wants to come home and forget all about it but Briana has other ideas. Over a tumultuous two days a family is forced to confront not just their past but themselves. Because even if you refuse to hear the truth, the truth does not go away. Book your tickets here.
Arts and Social Outcomes Network Fair Pay and Lived Experience Event 2 - Moving Towards Fair Pay
26 May | online | free
This is the second in a series of co-produced events to create more information, ideas & justice for creatives with lived experience to be paid fairly. Hosted by Arts & Homelessness International in partnership with the Arts and Social Outcomes Network and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK), the event will explore how to push for more Fair Pay. Attendees will hear from innovative projects finding new solutions and will be invited to discuss what needs to be done to create more justice in Fair Pay. Book your place here.
HMPPS Regional Third Sector Stakeholder Events
Birmingham, 6 June; Manchester, 22nd June; Newcastle, 6 July | free
Join Clinks and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Third Sector Partnerships and Programmes Team to gather feedback on the organisation-wide Third Sector Partnership Approach at a series of free events. The Third Sector Partnership Approach provides a guiding set of principles to strengthen and maximise Ministry of Justice and HMPPS engagement with the Third Sector to highlight and raise the profile of the valuable services the Third Sector provides across England and Wales. These events will also provide an opportunity to engage with regional HMPPS colleagues and hear about the upcoming Innovation Grants programme. Book your place here.
Open Clasp theatre company showcase new production: Rupture
16, 17 June | Newcastle | from £6
Rupture, written by Catrina McHugh MBE and directed by Rachel Glover was co-created with women from HMP Low Newton. The play is based on true-life experiences, Rupture is their story about being mothers in prison. Rupture was made in partnership with NEPACS and Criminal Justice, Social Harm and Inequalities Research Group, Durham University. Following a private performance of Rupture in HMP Low Newton, Open Clasp will be opening the showcase to the public with two performances in June at the West End Women and Girls Centre. Book your tickets here.
Probation commissioning - latest update
The Clinks team have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to make improvements to the systems and processes under the Probation Services Dynamic Framework (DF) as well as implementing other useful tools to support organisations to engage in competitions. Clinks has published a blog which provides an overview of developments and upcoming changes in probation commissioning processes. We will continue use the blog as a platform to update the sector about ongoing changes, so be sure to check in regularly and keep an eye on our regular communications channels. Read the blog here.
Clinks: Working and volunteering in prisons training
8 June | online | from £50
Working or volunteering in a prison can be quite daunting due to the many complexities associated with its unique environment and establishing the role of the voluntary sector within that can be challenging. Join Clinks at this three-hour training session for voluntary sector staff and volunteers in which we aim to raise awareness of the prison environment and provide information on key aspects such as staffing structures and departments, prison procedures and current challenges associated with working in prisons. Book your place here.
Applications for Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy Professional Fellowship Programme are now open!
Apply by Friday 16 June
The Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy programme has been delivering their Professional Fellowship Programme for ten years, and has offered support, mentoring and training to an alumni of 104 fundraising practitioners in the cultural sector. This year, the Programme will offer a further ten individuals a transformational year of reflection, skills growth and professional development, incorporating elements of business, finance and leadership. The Professional Fundraising Fellowship is designed to support arts and cultural professionals at a middle stage in their careers to become confident, skilled, entrepreneurial fundraisers, either as development specialists or as specialists in other roles where fundraising is an important strand of their work. Find out more and apply here.
The Other Side of the Wall training from Geese Theatre
4-6 July | Birmingham | from £375
This is a three-day training course that focuses on some of the basic principles behind Geese’s use of theatre and drama with people in secure and community settings, offering participants effective and widely applicable techniques in order to:
- ‘Cross over the wall’ and explore service users’ experience of the world.
- Assist them in identifying patterns of behaviour and exploring strategies for change.
- Identify and assist in the development of interpersonal skills.
- Create an environment where safe and relevant experiential learning can take place.
The next course will take place on 4 – 6 July 2023 in Birmingham. The cost of the training is £375 per person and Geese offer reduced price places to participants with lived experience of the criminal justice system. Book your place here.
Neurodiversity and Creativity training from Engage
19 June - 3 July | online | from £60
This is a three-part online training course exploring neurodivergence in the context of creative engagement practices. Co-led by Starling and Every Brain for Engage, this course has been created to support colleagues who are developing programmes and projects with neurodivergent artists and participants. The first session on 19 June will introduce the definition and some important facts about neurodiversity. The second session on 26 June will focus on how organisations can work and collaborate with neurodivergent artists and creatives. Finally, the 3 July session will look more deeply at practical approaches and tools, which can nurture neurodivergent talent, and develop new opportunities and audiences within neurodivergent communities. Book your place here.
Vacancies
Progressions and Pathways Co-ordinator - Synergy Theatre
Trustees - Good Vibrations
Senior Development Manager - A New Direction
Take a creative break
June 1 -7 will be national Volunteers Week 2023. Could you take a break from the day job and volunteer some time to share your expertise and creativity with your community? Find opportunities by searching #VolunteersWeek2023
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
The next NCJAA monthly newsletter will be sent on Thursday 29 June. 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 19 June.
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This newsletter is written monthly. Email artsalliance@clinks.org if you wish to submit any news.
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