The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance has published new guidance for artists and arts organisations interested in working in criminal justice settings, Enhancing arts and culture in criminal justice settings – a partnership approach.
Click here to download the guide (PDF)
Launched at FACT Liverpool in June 2019, the guide outlines the complex nature of the criminal justice system and makes the case for why reaching out through the arts to those who are socially excluded is valuable, not only to the individual, but for arts and culture collectively.
It includes step-by-step guidance on delivering work in criminal justice settings and principles of best practice - putting individuals with complex needs at the heart of effective interventions, encouraging partnership work and ensuring artistic quality.
We are grateful to Edward Argar MP, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice and Darren Henley, Chief Executive at Arts Council England, for supporting the guide and writing forewords. We are also indebted to the organisations and individuals that contributed to the case studies in the guide, which demonstrate innovative partnership approaches and excellence in both prisons and in community settings.
We hope the guide will foster new relationships, inspire new programmes and encourage artists, organisations and institutions to make brave, new, quality work in criminal justice settings.