What's art got to do with it? Creativity in Scotland’s prisons | Workshop

Prisoner-made magazines give us unique insights into experiences of incarceration through the words, images and artworks of people living in Pr*son.

Yet, these creative outputs are often overlooked when looking at what incarceration is like for prisoners in Scotland.

This workshop invites you to learn more about incarceration by looking closely at STIR, Scotland’s longest-running prisoner-made magazine. You’ll also have the chance to create your own visual or creative writing piece after exploring a selection of STIR editions.

STIR is an arts magazine that is created by prisoners, for prisoners. The workshop consists of three parts:

• An introduction to Scottish prisons.
• An overview of STIR magazine and its contents across themed issues.
• A workshop activity where participants create their own collage or creative writing piece in response to what they see and read in STIR.

By coming along to this Curious workshop, you can gain a better understanding of what Pr*son is like for incarcerated people, as told through their own artwork and creative writing.

Important points to note

• This event is suitable for age 16+
• Event format: This event is a workshop and may involve some audience interaction. This could involve group activities, individual activities, quizzes or hands-on activities.

• Content warning: Any event on the topic of incarceration can be distressing. It’s important to note that STIR magazine does not print any artwork or written work that glorifies violence or crime, and submissions on individuals’ personal crimes are not accepted.
• Filming: Photography may take place at this event. Please let a member of the RSE Public Engagement team know if you do not want to be photographed.

SPEAKER

Lecturer in Criminology, Edinburgh Napier University

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. She edited ‘The Barlinnie Special Unit: Art, Punishment and Innovation’ and is currently on a Royal Society of Edinburgh Personal Fellowship undertaking research on the history of Scottish prisons. She runs book groups in HMP Shotts and the Lilias Centre in Scotland.

About the Curious festival

The RSE’s free Curious festival of knowledge is back, from Saturday 5 − Sunday 13 September 2026!

Curious is Scotland’s annual festival of knowledge. Across its seven-year history, Curious has welcomed over 10,000 attendees into its yearly programme of talks, workshops, discussions and exhibitions – all covering different topics and subject areas. There’s no need for you to have any prior specialist knowledge before coming along, just bring your curious self! With plenty of events both in person and online, you can take part from anywhere.

You can check out the full programme of events here.

Accessibility

We aim to make events as accessible as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements or have any questions related to how we can support this event, please contact [email protected]. Accessibility information for the RSE building can be found on our website.

• Step-free access: Ramped access for visitors is available via 26 George Street through Lakeland. Upon arrival, please call 0131 240 5000 and a member of staff will meet you and guide you to the event. Please note that the entrance ramp has a steep gradient (1:12).
• Main lift: The lift’s door has a width of 79cm and a depth of 143cm. Please note, that access to the lift is limited by a narrow 77cm width corridor. You can find further details and images of the lift on our website.

• Wheelchair spaces: If you would like to book a space as a wheelchair user, please select the ticket type 'wheelchair space ticket' during the booking process. If this is sold out, please contact the Curious team on [email protected].

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Please note that any personal data that is submitted to the RSE will be stored and processed in accordance with the RSE’s Privacy Policy. We will only use mobile numbers provided to contact you in the event of a cancellation.

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