Some of the artwork entered into the Awards fits into our multi-artform categories, such as the annual Themed Category or Art Projects.
Our annual Themed Category can help provide a starting point for many entrants. Entrants can respond to the theme across any of the Koestler Awards artforms. Previous themes have included ‘Taste’ (2022) judged by chef Jon Watts, ‘Together’ (2021) which was chosen and judged by Koestler Arts mentees, and ‘Inside’ (2017) selected by Antony Gormley ahead of our 2017 exhibition.
The 2024 Themed Category is ‘From Now On’, chosen by our Koestler Associates.
The Arts Project category is open to entries which feature components that cover several Koestler Awards artforms. Entries must include a description of the aims of the project, documentation of the artistic outcome and the people involved.

From Now On Imma
HM Prison Elmley
Molly Tandy Highly Commended Award for Themed Category: From Now On
2024

New Kid on an Old Block
HMP North Sea Camp
Avis Allum Bronze Award for Themed Category: From Now On
2024

I’ll Watch What I Say From Now On
HM Prison Swaleside
Evelyn Plesch Highly Commended Award for Themed Category: From Now On
2024

From Now On… We See Our World Inside Out
HM Prison Send
David Wentworth Commended Award for Themed Category: From Now On
2024

From Now On
HM Prison Young Offender Institution Werrington
Believe in Now Under 25s Special Award for Themed Category: From Now On
Fast Feedback 18 and Under Special Award
2024

From Now On!
HM Prison Dovegate
Keep Going with Art Silver Award for Themed Category: From Now On
2024

From Now On in Polaroid
Birmingham Young Offender Service West & Central
Stratford-upon-Avon Design and Fine Arts Society Award for Themed Category: From Now On
2024
A Day in the Life of Me
A day in the life of meDays that Im not free
And I dont know whats to be
You live in a room with no key
Is this what my life has become
Now Im alone I have no-one
The time is long it isn’t fun
How long until this is done?
Everybody is trying to find a way
Lost in place we all have to stay
Inside no going out to play
For me this is not okay
Empty is how I feel today
HM Prison Woodhill
Highly Commended Award for Themed Category: A Day in the Life
2023
A Day in the Life of Me
A Day in the Life of Me
HM Prison Woodhill
Highly Commended Award for Themed Category: A Day in the Life
2023

Sssh! Stolen Seagull Scavenger Hunt (Library and Arts Community Project 2022)
HM Prison Channings Wood
Highly Commended Award for Arts Project
2023

A Day in the Life of Soap
HM Prison Littlehey
Sally Taylor Silver Award for Themed Category: A Day in the Life
2023

A Day in
The Spinney (secure mental health unit)
Outstanding Debut Award for Themed Category: A Day in the Life
2023

A Day in the Life of Koestler
HM Prison Bronzefield
Kath & Harry Bryan Under 25s Special Award for Themed Category: A Day in the Life
2023

A Day in the Life of Me
HM Prison Woodhill
Hope Outstanding Debut Award for Themed Category: A Day in the Life
2023

One Day in the Life of 3361
HM Prison Standford Hill (Sheppey Cluster)
Patrick Holmes Platinum Award for Themed Category: A Day in the Life
2023

This Is What the Taste of Fruit Cocktail Looks Like to Me
Trevor Gibbins Unit
Themed Category: Taste
2022

The Wasteful Taste of Consumerism
HM Prison Bronzefield
Clare Askew Platinum Award for Themed Category: Taste
2022

Guilty Pleasures – Tea, Cakes and Tarts
HM Prison Styal
Commended Award for Themed Category: Taste
2022

Together Forever
HM Prison Glenochil
Lord Ted Bishopston First-Time Entrant Award for Themed Category: Together
2021

My Mother and Eye
St Andrew’s Healthcare Northampton
Arts Society Greater London Area Platinum Award for Themed Category: Together
2021

Bond Together
HM Prison Isle of Wight (Albany)
Freeman Bronze Award for Themed Category: Together
2021

A Poem of Words and Birds
HM Prison Peterborough
First-Time Entrant Award for Themed Category: Together
2021

Window of Opportunity
HM Prison Albany
Pierce Brunt Highly Commended Award for Themed Category: Window
2020

Picture Window
HM Prison Oakwood
Artists’ Collecting Society Silver Award for Themed Category: Window
2020

Knowledge Through the Window of Glass
HM Prison Dovegate
Pat & Bill Gordon First-Time Entrant Award for Themed Category: Window
2020

Stories, Socks & Jay Cloths
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Low Newton
John Crockett Highly Commended Award for Themed Category: Interlude
2019
Explore more artforms
Take a closer look at the work of Koestler Awards entrants in the online galleries.
Click here