Serco supports Koestler Arts and The Koestler Awards for arts in criminal justice

The Koestler Arts Annual Exhibition held at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London, and sponsored by Serco, opens today, Friday 29 November.

The annual Koestler Awards, run by Koestler Arts, is a key initiative aimed at recognising and nurturing artistic talent. By providing feedback, encouraging exhibitions and sales, and offering mentorship, the competition fosters community connections.

The award winners are announced in early September, followed by The Koestler Arts Annual Exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London. This year is the 17th exhibition, showcasing 136 pieces, co-curated by Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller and ex-prisoner-turned-artist John Costi. Deller has been an Awards judge for more than 15 years, while Costi's journey started as an award-winning participant and has evolved into becoming a curator.

Serco has a long-standing strategic partnership with Koestler Arts, the prison arts charity known for its work with prisoners and individuals with experience in the criminal justice system. The charity helps prisoners, secure patients and detainees lead more positive lives by motivating them to participate and achieve in the arts, including fine art, design, music, poetry, film, and performance.

Alongside Koestler Arts, Serco believe this initiative is crucial as it introduces various arts programs to prisoners, providing them with opportunities for creative expression, which is often lacking in the correctional environment. Serco is pleased to announce that 19 pieces of artwork from our prisons are exhibited, with 15 winning awards.

This collaboration aligns with Serco's commitment to providing compassionate, individualised support to all under their care, as emphasised by Beverley Thompson-Brown, Strategic Account Director (Justice) at Serco UK.

The partnership is celebrated for its potential to foster self-expression, health, and well-being benefits through ongoing support and community links.

The primary goal of this partnership is to use the transformative power of art to aid in the rehabilitation process of prisoners and detainees in immigration centres. By engaging in artistic activities, individuals within these facilities can develop new skills, boost their self-esteem, and potentially assist in their emotional and psychological healing. Programmes can include a wide range of activities such as painting, writing, drama, and music, each tailored to fit the interests and talents of the individuals involved.

Koestler Arts' long history of working within the criminal justice system and their expertise in delivering effective arts education is crucial in ensuring the success of these programmes. Their approach not only helps to uncover and nurture artistic talents but also provides a platform for those in custody to gain recognition for their work, sometimes even allowing it to be showcased in public exhibitions.

By incorporating Koestler Arts’ programmes into prisons and immigration detention centres, Serco can enhance rehabilitation strategies, moving beyond traditional methods to embrace a more holistic approach to purposeful and wellbeing activities. This initiative represents a progressive step towards addressing the complex needs of those within the justice system, offering them a constructive outlet to express themselves and build a positive pathway for a brighter future.

Koestler Arts Exhibition: No Comment is open till 15th December 2024 at the Southbank Centre. For more information, visit the Southbank Centre online. 

To find out more about Serco in justice, visit Serco in Justice | UK

To learn more about Koestler Arts, visit Koestler Arts | Unlock the talent inside