Unlock the talent inside

Since 1962 the Koestler Awards have played a unique, national role in motivating prisoners, secure hospital patients and immigration detainees to take part in the arts. The Koestler Awards are simple and powerful – we reward achievement, build self-confidence and broaden horizons for some of society’s most disadvantaged and marginalised people.

Our work harnesses the uniquely transformative power of the arts to help individuals learn the skills and gain the confidence to live creative, positive and productive lives. Each year we receive more than 7,000 entries from over 3,500 entrants across the UK in 52 categories. More than 2,000 Awards are granted by over 100 esteemed judges, and each year culminates in a curated exhibition at Southbank Centre which showcases the incredible power of the arts to transform lives.

183 More Sleeps

Summerhall, Edinburgh

7 – 29 November 2015

183 More Sleeps is an exhibition of artwork from prisons, secure hospitals, secure children’s homes, immigration detention centres and community justice services in Scotland. The display is selected by artist Ruth Ewan from entries to the 2015 Koestler Awards. The exhibition features over 150 artworks including paintings, sculpture, needlecraft, nail art, printmaking, woodcraft, audio, animation and writing – highlighting the range of categories to which entrants can submit their work for the Awards.

There is a sense that these works had to be made, these stories need to be told, and the Koestler Trust allows us as viewers to listen to these voices we otherwise cannot, or will not, hear.
Artist Ruth Ewan

183 More Sleeps Brochure: Click to download

Since the first Scotland exhibition in 2009 with Filmhouse, Edinburgh, and through a three year partnership with Tramway, Glasgow, the number of entries has risen yearly, from 287 in 2009 to 1,788 in 2015.

The project has been supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland, with additional support from the Robertson Trust and the Souter Charitable Trust.

www.summerhall.co.uk