The newsletter for arts organisations working in criminal justice.
In this month's issue...
Anne Peaker Lecture 2024
26 March| 16:00 | online | free
In this year’s Anne Peaker lecture we will publicly share the findings of the Inspiring Futures research project for the very first time. Keynote speaker, Dr Caroline Lanskey, will take the audience through the report and a panel of key stakeholders will share their thoughts on, and hopes for, the findings. We will also be joined by member organisations, the people they support and individual artists as they share performances and arts created in, or inspired by, criminal justice. Find out more and book your ticket here
Creating Roots for well-being through art project report
The NCJAA is delighted to share the Creative Roots project report Written by Mark Jones, Director at Higher Plain and Visiting Professor at centre for Criminology, University South Wales. The report reflects on The Creative Roots Project (an arts project funded by the Arts Council for Wales and G4S). The project was delivered in Parc Prison from September 2022 to May 2023. Creative Roots was delivered through a multi-skilled arts team under the performance, live art and dance organisation Mr & Mrs Clark. The Creative Roots project aimed to provide a safe space for residents of Parc Prison to take time out of their daily routine to engage in a range of activities on the prison wing. Our recent blog series; Creating Roots for well-being through art, is still available on our website, offering reflections from participating artists and project partners. Read the report on the NCJAA website
Preventing knife crime: how arts can break a cycle of offending
NCJAA Advisory Board member Esther Baker, from Synergy Theatre Project, speaks to The Diff about their ground-breaking work using theatre in the community and criminal justice settings. The podcast is one of four focusing on the reasons behind, and the impact of, knife crime in today’s society. Read more about it, and listen to the podcasts, here.
NCJAA member spotlight
“Change the World, One Play at a Time” is the motto of this incredible theatre company inclusively putting girls and women at the heart of what they do. Since 1998 they have been working in schools, communities and in criminal justice settings to shine a light on the experiences of underrepresented communities and to advocate for social change. Find out more about the work of Open clasp here, and read the most recent blog, Pure Arts and Politics – our highlights, from Joint CEO and Artistic Director, Catrina McHugh, MBE.
Kiss Marry Kill
Spring (various dates) | in-person | from £15
Jay and Paul are both serving life for homophobic murders. Incredibly, they fall in love. Inspired by real-life events this is a provocative new play from Dante or Die that reimagines the first same-sex wedding in a UK prison with a cast that includes people with lived experience. Touring this Spring. Find out more and book your ticket here
The Sun Does Shine
23 March | London | from £10
In June 1988, Anthony Ray Hinton was convicted by an Alabama court of two murders he did not commit. He spent the next 28 years on Death Row, before all charges were dropped and he was released. This remarkable story has urgent relevance to us in the UK today. It confronts racism and the inbuilt injustices that keep prisoners locked up for years, while making a powerful case for compassion, a sense of humour, and the possibility of redemption. Presented by Vox Holloway and Arts Council England. Book your ticket here
Best practice in working with people with mental health problems on probation: what the evidence tells us
4 March | online | free
Professor Charlie Brooker, honorary professor at Royal Holloway, University of London, and Dr Coral Sirdifield, Senior Research Associate at the University of Lincoln, will discuss the latest evidence around best practices when working with people with mental health problems on probation. You can read their evidence review here.
This event forms part of Clinks’ “A matter of fact: what the evidence tells us” series to accompany their Evidence Library. The event will allow you to ask your questions of leading academics talking about the latest research on an important criminal justice topic. Book your place here
Navigating the criminal justice system workshop
14 March | online | from £75
The criminal justice system as a whole can be quite daunting to understand because of both its size and complexity. Join Clinks at this three-hour workshop for voluntary sector staff and volunteers which aims 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. Register online
Gathering data and impact assessment
13 March | in-person | from £99
An in-person NPC workshop for charities which want to effectively evaluate and measure their impact, but struggle with getting the right data. This introductory workshop is particularly geared towards small and medium-sized charities. This is a paid workshop event, but free bursary places are available for eligible organisations on a first come, first served basis. Find out more and register online
Introduction to theatre in criminal justice settings
14 March | in-person | from £75
Anna Herrmann, 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. With a 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. Find out more and register online
Women’s network forum
19 March | online | free
Clinks’ quarterly women’s networking forums, hosted in partnership with Agenda, provide support, information and networking opportunities to those working with women in contact with the criminal justice system. They also provide updates on policy, member activity and host speakers on relevant topics. The forums provide an opportunity to gather feedback and key issues raised by organisations working with women in contact with the criminal justice system, enabling Clinks to reflect these to national government at Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) meetings. Register online
Funding guidance for the criminal justice voluntary sector
As a sector support organisation, providing information, advice and resources to voluntary organisations is an important part of Clinks. They have heard from many of their members about how difficult it is to identify, understand and navigate funding opportunities for the criminal justice voluntary sector, and know that this is becoming even more challenging. Clinks have therefore published new information and guidance on their website which explores this topic and includes guides to statutory and charitable funding, fundraising support, and information on securing alternative sources of income. Have a look at their new Funding and Income webpages here.
Innovate Now with City Bridge Foundation
A new funding opportunity for Black-led charities & social enterprises delivering support to Black and Global Majority communities in London.
Do it Now Now's - Innovate Now fund - will provide 64 London-based Black-led charities & enterprises with £12,000 grant funding, bespoke support & £3,000 in compensated capacity building. This will help participating organisations build their financial resilience and operational readiness, increase their chances of raising social investment & aims to create a sustainable future for their work. Read more
National Lottery Awards
The National Lottery Community Fund is offering funding from £300 to £20,000 for up to two years. Grants are to support community-led projects, fostering social connections and community activities, to create healthier, happier lives and a flourishing society. The application deadline is ongoing. Please apply at least 16 weeks before you intend to start the activities or spend any of the money. Find out more
Managing volunteers
Many charities depend on the contribution of volunteers and it is important that their recruitment and management is managed effectively. NCVO, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, has some great practical and step-by-step guidance, which can help you manage volunteers and the process of volunteering well. Find out more
Evidence library
Are you an arts practitioner or organisation looking for evidence to support your next funding application? Or a student or researcher looking for sources to include in your academic writing?
The NCJAA's Evidence Library is an online library housing key research and evaluation documents on the impact of arts-based projects, programmes, and interventions within the criminal justice system. It is searchable by arts organisations, evaluation organisations, artforms and many more categories. Find out more
Vacancies
Operations & Administration Assistant – Koestler Arts
Project Worker: Creative Aid - Nepacs
Youth Justice Producer - TiPP
Trustee – Good Vibrations
Project and Comms Officer - London Arts and Health (LAH)
Freelance Membership Officer - London Arts and Health (LAH)
General Manager (Maternity Cover) - Kazzum Arts
Musicians – Finding Rhythms
Prison facilitators – Shannon Trust
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
Could you spare some time to take part in research with the University of Galway on a project exploring the impact of music listening on loneliness in everyday life? More information here
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
The next NCJAA monthly newsletter will be sent on Thursday 28th 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 submit your information via our online form by Monday 18th March.
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This newsletter is written monthly. Email artsalliance@clinks.org if you wish to submit any news.
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