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.
Visitors read Chemical Cash Cow, HM Prison Glenochil, Platinum Award for Poem
RE:FORM gives a taste of the witty, insightful and poignant written pieces which made up a third of the artworks generated by the 2015 Koestler Awards. The award-winning poems, fiction, non-fiction and songs featured in the exhibition are available for download here.
RE:FORM includes spoken word, computer generated music, hip hop and choral music.
Warrior
HM Prison Guernsey, Ed King Silver Award for Portraits 2015
Prison Blue
HMP Lewes, Monument Trust Fine Art Scholarship Award 2015 for Sculpture 2015
Boris in the Shadow of T
Carpenter House Approved Premises, Bronze Award for Portraits 2015
Kaleidoscopic Fulfilment
HM Prison Peterborough Inside Time First-Time Entrant Award for Mixed Media 2015
Never Judge a Book By Its Movie
HMP & YOI Ashfield, Craft 2015
Lump of Fortitude
HMP Dovegate, Chris Bramble Platinum Award for Ceramics 2015
Metamorphosis and Parasites
HMP Bronzefield (women's establishment), David Wentworth Platinum Award for Drawing 2015
Love And Life
HM Prison Grendon, Sir Hugh Casson Gold Award for Portraits and Platinum Visitors Choice Award
