The Koestler Awards Scheme was the brainchild of Arthur Koestler, writes Dorothy Salmon. Koestler was the writer who was sentenced to death in Franco?s Spain, locked up by the French and held by the British in Pentonville Prison, and who then on his release became a powerful advocate of social reform. In 1960 he devised a plan for an annual competition for those in prison. By 1961 his idea had been agreed with the Prison Commission and the Home Secretary, and in 1962 the Koestler Awards Scheme was launched. Over the years the scheme has encouraged the development of potential within prisons, young offender institutions, special hospitals, secure units and psychiatric units. It works in collaboration with over 800 staff in HM establishments. It now has 62 categories and received more than 4,000 entries this year in areas as varied as painting, drawing, photography, calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics, craft, matchstick models, needlecraft, textile art, recycling, soft toys and soft furnishings. We are now seeking to be more proactive in assisting prisoners, patients and young people to develop their artistic skills as a stepping stone towards increased employability and rehabilitation. It is our wish to develop projects similar to the successful painting project carried out at Feltham Young Offenders Institution in July last year. The four-week long pilot project comprised colour and painting work under the direction of a colour specialist. It developed as a result of the growing awareness that colour effects us profoundly on all different levels: mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. The fact that prisons and related institutions are always going to need refurbishing and attractive colours cost no more than drab ones means that for very little extra cost huge improvements can be made. At the same time, men and women prisoners can learn new painting skills that they can use outside. The idea for the project was strongly welcomed and is a good example of how the positive response by a prison governor and his staff, the eagerness of young people to respond to an idea where they create and feel a part ownership of their environment, as well as the enthusiasm of the colour artist, can come together to create a hugely beneficial activity for everyone. His Honour Sir Stephen Tumim, Chairman of Koestler Award Trust and a former judge, says, ?If they [prisoners] are to make a useful contribution to the community, it is enormously constructive for them to learn and practise both arts and crafts, in which many of them turn out to have remarkable skills. With the confidence that this brings they can then continue with further education and training whilst in custody and after release, leading to eventual employment.? Dorothy Salmon is Director of the Koestler Award Trust. t: 020 8868 4044 e: dorothysalmon@koestler.freeserve.co.uk The annual exhibition of the Koestler Awards Scheme for Art in Prisons is to be held this year at St Mary Abbots Hall, Vicarage Gate, Kensington, London from September 5-19
