Engagement and participation with the arts
The Arts Council and the Irish Prison Service
have worked together to deliver and manage the Visual Artists and Writers in
Prison Schemes since the 1980’s. The Schemes operate in Irish Prisons
nationally, through its Education Centres in partnership with the Education and
Training Boards.
Visual Artists and Writers can be engaged through the schemes to bring in
additional artistic expertise, ideas and methodologies to develop arts projects
in collaboration with teachers and students.
Mural produced by people in custody during a workshop with artist Julie Forrester at Arbour Hill Prison in 2023 organised by ceramics teacher Olga Fitzpatrick. Photo: Tom Shortt
The
Visual Artists in Prisons Scheme
Through this scheme the Arts Council offers
opportunities to visual artists to work with groups of students and their art
teachers in Irish prisons.
This collaborative process has produced opportunities
for students to create work in a number of mediums including sculpture,
painting, drawing, ceramics and mosaics.
The Irish Prison Service holds a biannual
exhibition where some of this work is showcased. For information on the most recent exhibition
go to https://www.ruared.ie/gallery/exhibition/alternative-ways-of-seeing
The
Writers in Prisons Scheme
The scheme provides selected writers the opportunity to work
with teachers and groups of students in Irish prisons. This collaborative
process has produced opportunities for students to create work, learn and gain
knowledge in the artform of literature including poetry, playwriting and
screenwriting.
Visual
Artists and Writers Panel List
Visual artists and writers can apply to be on a panel
list where they may be invited to work in the any of the prisons in the Republic of Ireland. Once selected, the teacher and/or librarian
and artist discuss the type of workshops that are required and agree the aims, objectives and dates workshops will take place.
The Arts Council and Irish Prison Service are reviewing the
current panel list. No more artists will be appointed to the panel until the
review is complete.
To learn more about the Schemes and the process of application contact the scheme administrator Tom
Shortt teshortt@ipsedu.ie