The Arts Society Speyside Branch – Youth Awards June 2019: Award for a Young Offender in HMP Polmont who produces a piece of Art or Poetry which is selected by the judges in the annual exhibition of prisoners Art work. A young man from Polmont received The Arts Society Speyside Award 2019 for his fine drawing of British Bats. Age range of participants = 15 – 18 years old
Number of people involved = 32 young men at HMYOI Polmont. For 20, this was the first year they had entered the Awards and engaged with the Koestler Awards. Art Activity type = The Arts Society Speyside Award was awarded to drawing, however your donation also enabled us to celebrate the work of other young people at Polmont who were engaged in various arts activities, including drawing, calligraphy, handmade books, sculpture, craft, painting, murals and wall hangings, portraits, pastels, printmaking, writing, performance and music. There were 3 group entries, and 57 individual entries to the Koestler Awards. 12 artworks were made in cell without support from teachers or staff, and the remaining artworks were made in classes. Brief project details = Each year Koestler Arts work with over 400 young people in prisons, YOIs, secure mental health facilities and secure children’s homes find encouragement and positivity in their creative achievements through our annual Koestler Awards. Through the support of Arts Society Speyside we have been able to offer some of the UKs most vulnerable and troubled young people at HMYOI Polmont encouragement through rewarding creativity with certificates and prizes, expert feedback and the opportunity to exhibit and sell work. Location = HMYOI Polmont, Polmont, Brightons and across Scotland, including the North-East and Moray. Location post code = IV30, FK2 Activity date = April 14th 2019 Number of people involved and impact of project = 32 young men at HMYOI Polmont were involved with our work this year. For 20, this was the first year they had entered the Awards and engaged with the Koestler Awards. Our annual Award Scheme can be a trigger for young people gaining qualifications and self-confidence, equipping them to succeed inside YOI’s and on release. Engaging with art in a positive and supportive classroom setting can help young people overcome negative experiences of education, and encourage them to take part in more meaningful and purposeful activities. The Koestler Awards also help entrants build self-confidence and belief in their abilities to contribute positively and meaningfully to their communities on release.
Mali Clements | Development Officer 168A Du Cane Road, London, W12 0TX
T: 020 8740 0333 koestlerarts.org.uk
@KoestlerArt |