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
NCJAA Writing Development Workshops
October 2023 – February 2024 | online | free
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 (RLF), 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
Our next workshop takes place on [14 December] and will help you to consider how to structure case studies, what key elements to include, how to adapt tone and style for different audiences such as stakeholders or the broader community and self-editing and proofreading.
Book now for NCJAA Writing Development Workshop – Writing Case Studies – 14 December 2023
The Turnaround Project podcast: The Lived Experience Series - From Life After Prison to Lady Unchained and The Road To Victory
Earlier this month NCJAA Advisory Board Co-chair Lady Unchained shared her story with the Turnaround Project Podcast audience. In the episode she talks of while filling notebooks with words on pain, trauma, and feelings; the outlet for her expression was discovered. Leaving the justice system behind and beginning life after prison was filled with barriers. It was connecting with national prison radio that gave her a platform and space to move others with words and music. Listen to her episode online
Creating Roots for well-being through art
Our recent publication on the NCJAA website launched the blog series Creating Roots for well-being through art. In the series artists involved in the Creative Roots team share their full insights in their own personal blog about the project and its impact. The series includes commentary and reflections from six artists in total, including Jo Haycock, a documentary and portrait photographer who explores the relationships that people have between themselves, others and the spaces they connect in - storytelling photography for communities, families and social documentaries. Also included is Bill Chambers, a freelance artist and printmaker working in community arts and education.
- Jo’s Blog for Creative Roots
- Catch up on the full blog series here
- Bill’s blog for Creative Roots project
Performing Recovery - Issue 4
The latest issue of the RAA networks’ Performing Recovery magazine is available now. Featuring Sophie Wilsdon and Jon James who talk over the history, and work of the Bristol Recovery Orchestra. Leon Clowes speaks to Surfing Sofas, the poet in residence for the Museum of Homelessness, and Criminologist Dr David Patton talks about recovery capital and an exciting new publishing project. Read more
Imagining Better Futures for the Arts
8 December | Glasgow | free
Amidst budget cuts, ubiquitous burnout, and individual and organisational precarity across Scotland’s arts landscape, Take One Action invite you to the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) for an event of collaboration, and solidarity. With this gathering, open to any and all who want to see a flourishing and just arts landscape in Scotland, we hope to provide the time and space to come together in action-oriented discussion and imagine ways to do things differently. The session will welcome a series of short provocations by arts workers with a wealth of perspectives across the film exhibition and arts sectors, inviting collaborative reflection, response, and strategising. Find out more
All England criminal justice forum
7 December | online | free
Clinks’ All England criminal justice forums aim to bring together partners working across the criminal justice system. These forums provide an opportunity for people to hear about current and future developments and discuss policy and practice affecting their day-to-day work.
Often themed around a current issue, the forums also provide the space to share good practice, network with other organisations, discuss the opportunities and challenges your organisation is currently facing and encourage shared learning and peer support. They are also an opportunity for Clinks’ members and partners to showcase their work.
Forums are open to all organisations in England working in the criminal justice system. Book now
Clinks Navigating the criminal justice system workshop
9 November | online | from £75
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, and provide the opportunity to, explore and discuss how the criminal justice system is organised, the complexities within it, and how it works. Find out more and book your place here
Introducing Clean Break’s new Knowledge Hub
NCJAA member organisation, Clean Break, have launched their online Knowledge Hub with the digital premiere of their new film Hope, now available to stream. This online platform is an ever-growing library of resources, information and learning experiences. Whether you are interested in theatre, you are part of their community, or want to learn from Clean Break’s practice; head to the link to discover exciting new content.
Online evaluation training for arts, culture and heritage professionals from Centre for Cultureal Value
The Centre’s free-to-access online course will help you understand the principles and master the practice of carrying out evaluation in the arts, culture and heritage sector. All course content is available online and learners can start at any time. Register now to start learning
BBC True North: Art Behind Bars
How art saves lives, told through the eyes of artist Stephen Greer and men at Magilligan Prison in Northern Ireland. Stephen shares his own experience of the criminal justice system and in particular reflects on how in his last sentence he started taking art classes. Those classes changed his life. Stephen returns to Magilligan for the first time since his release to trial a new pilot scheme teaching art to prisoners. Watch online
Developing creative approaches in youth justice: A guide for youth justice professionals
Sandwell Youth Offending Service (YOS) and the Institute for Community Research and Development, developed this good practice guide with the aim of helping others design and implement creative arts approaches in youth justice, and to understand the impact of what they do. This guide is the resource that the authors wish they had when they set out on their journey – it should be of use to staff right across youth justice services and prove to be a valuable resource.
Published by Sandwell Children’s Trust and the Institute for Community Research and Development at the University of Wolverhampton, 2023; this guide was written by NCJAA research network member Professor Laura Caulfield, Mike Botham, and Chad Smith. Read more
The study 'Captive Arts' funded by the AHRC at Warwick University is seeking research participants
Researchers at Warwick University are looking to learn from the experiences of arts tutors, arts practitioners and arts therapists working in arts and criminal justice both in prisons and in the community. The study seeks to explore the relationship between creative expression, identity and experiences of punishment. For more information email Ana Chamberlen at A.Chamberlen@warwick.ac.uk.
Vacancies
Project Officer - Good Vibrations
Volunteer Coordinator - The Footprints Project
Musicians – Finding Rhythms
Want to post a vacancy?
Clinks members can post job and volunteer vacancies on our Jobs Board for free.
Full instructions for uploading a vacancy can be found here.
For assistance, email membership@clinks.org
Take a creative break
Whether you are a well-practiced musician or a first-time beginner, can you get the knack of playing the virtual trombone on your computer?
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
The next NCJAA monthly newsletter will be sent on Thursday 21 December. 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 11 December.
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This newsletter is written monthly. Email artsalliance@clinks.org if you wish to submit any news.
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