The Arts in prisons, a radical tool for connection
About this Event
SASO Glasgow are West Branch and delighted to host a discussion with 3 leading figures on the historical, current and future role of the arts in Scotland's criminal justice sector. The session will begin with Kirstin Anderson sharing a historical overview of the arts in Scottish prisons, and its benefits, based on her research in the field. Elly Goodman will discuss current practice in prisons, and for people leaving Pr*son and seeking to find community in arts groups. Finally, Jess Thorpe will share their recent work on documenting the experience of people leading and participating in the arts in Scottish prisons, and what the future holds for this sector.
SASO will then host a Q&A.
Dr Kirstin Anderson has taught for twenty-four years in schools, universities and prisons. She has a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and led the first empirical study to look at music education and music making in Scottish prisons. Kirstin is a Lecturer in Criminology at Edinburgh Napier University. She has written about education and arts in prisons, public health and criminal justice, Pr*son overcrowding and Pr*son abolition.
Dr Jess Thorpe is a Lecturer in the Arts in Justice at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where she designs and delivers creative projects in prisons and with communities impacted by the criminal justice system.
Outside her work at RCS, Jess was the Associate Director (Engage) of Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre (2020-2024). She is Co-Artistic Director of Glass Performance, through which she also developed long-term initiatives such as young people’s performance company Junction 25 and Polmont Youth Theatre, the first youth theatre in a Scottish Pr*son. In 2015, Junction 25 won a CATS Whiskers for an outstanding contribution to Scottish theatre. Jess has published several works on theatre including ‘A Beginners Guide to Devising Theatre’ (for Methuen) which won a Drama and Education prize in 2021.
Elly Goodman is a Community Drama Artist at the Citizens Theatre, with 37 years’ experience working across community arts and criminal justice, specialising in theatre within the wider criminal justice sector. She was a founding member and trustee of Justice and Arts Scotland and has delivered creative theatre residencies in nine Scottish prisons, as well as two prisons in the United States.
Elly’s work places a particular emphasis on women and socially excluded adults. Alongside her Pr*son-based practice, she has developed and delivered a wide range of theatre projects and productions with homeless organisations, mental health support groups, recovery forums, and people seeking asylum and refuge.
Her work has been shared with wider communities across the UK and internationally through performances, publications and articles. These have explored her practice and perspective on the role of creativity and the positive social impact the arts can have for people and communities who experience exclusion and barriers to participation.
Photo credit Alex Brady
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 4.00 to GBP 10.00
