Koestler Trust

The art awards scheme for offenders, secure patients and detainees

We’re the UK’s best-known prison arts charity. We’ve been awarding, exhibiting and selling artworks by offenders, detainees and secure patients for over 55 years.

Our awards receive over 8,000 entries a year – inspiring offenders to take part in the arts, work for achievement and transform their lives. Our national exhibition attracts 20,000 visitors – showing the public the talent and potential of offenders and people in secure settings.

We have no endowment or capital – our work depends entirely on donations.

Awards

Find out about the Koestler Awards and how to enter

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Koestler Events

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Exhibitions

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Mentoring

Find out about our mentoring programme

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Artforms

Find out about the Koestler Awards categories

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Donate

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Press

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About us

Find out about our history, staff, job opportunities and how we are funded

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Twitter

We get some weird and wonderful entries to the #KoestlerAwards! This brilliantly surreal collage from Atkinson Secu… https://t.co/YBNhFFbe7M Monday 12th of November 2018, 4:58:39 pm
A thoughful and insightful review of our exhibtion #ImStillHere. Sadly the exhibition is now over, but you can see… https://t.co/NArnSy8G5H Monday 12th of November 2018, 10:47:12 am
Our three award-winning stage plays, presented by @Synergy_Theatre at the @royalcourt, have been reviewed by… https://t.co/ZvtUYXyUVN Monday 5th of November 2018, 4:13:31 pm
We're starting to deinstall our exhibition #ImStillHere. It has been such a pleasure to work on, from receiving the… https://t.co/K6dYnscQEE Monday 5th of November 2018, 2:31:39 pm
Today is the last day of our #exhibition @southbankcentre, #ImStillHere. Curated by #prisoners' families, the show… https://t.co/mhOTLLFlj5 Sunday 4th of November 2018, 9:00:35 am
"Everyday in prison somebody receives a 'Dear John' letter. Whether it is the offence itself, the realities of havi… https://t.co/j3im7CTB7p Saturday 3rd of November 2018, 3:30:31 pm
Last chance to come and see our #exhibition at @southbankcentre, #ImStillHere. For an inspiring and eye-opening wee… https://t.co/kLVsdbESWS Saturday 3rd of November 2018, 10:00:21 am
Each year the #KoestlerAwards have a themed category, and this year's is #connections. Our #exhibition #ImStillHere… https://t.co/S7TsBeNlMm Friday 2nd of November 2018, 2:18:20 pm
This piece was made by a couple, separated by the criminal justice system and in different prisons, by post. Each m… https://t.co/XVSso2Z9hD Friday 2nd of November 2018, 10:41:45 am
Tickets go on sale in 10 MINUTES for @benhowardmusic's concert supporting the Koestler Trust, 21 January 2019 at… https://t.co/eD9e5hUGOU Friday 2nd of November 2018, 8:50:09 am
We are already looking forward to @benhowardmusic's concert at @THSHBirmingham in support of Koestler Trust, part o… https://t.co/7m1HHz9Hbp Thursday 1st of November 2018, 4:30:12 pm
We've just been to @TheClinkCharity #Brixton with 18 new artworks for their 100 for £100 display. Diners at the res… https://t.co/nvDfTBg8gU Thursday 1st of November 2018, 3:15:14 pm
We had a fantastic event last night to celebrate our artists' & curators' achievements & to thank our supporters &… https://t.co/ImMPsZuJQA Thursday 1st of November 2018, 12:19:53 pm
One creative 5yr old who attended our Exhibited Artists Family day to see her dad's work drew us this as a thank you https://t.co/gugxF7lwe7 Wednesday 31st of October 2018, 11:01:23 pm
RT @srefil: Just been listening to Andrew, @KoestlerTrust exhibition host, talk about the difference the role has made to his life, very mo… Wednesday 31st of October 2018, 10:58:06 pm
#HappyHalloween! Are you trick-or-treating, pumpkin-carving or doling out sweets this evening? This spooky artwork,… https://t.co/psXtOZ7FBA Wednesday 31st of October 2018, 5:30:15 pm
Former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein today unveiled an ambitious new initiative using the power of #football to… https://t.co/0JOIKSjz8O Wednesday 31st of October 2018, 4:22:45 pm
Still haven't made it to see our @southbankcentre #exhibition #ImStillHere? You have until this Sunday! To really b… https://t.co/nJaPxynFDv Wednesday 31st of October 2018, 2:00:28 pm
'Three Times a Lady' from HM Prison Thorn Cross is in our exhibition #ImStillHere @southbankcentre. Printmaking is… https://t.co/9waYdksXFd Tuesday 30th of October 2018, 5:06:51 pm
We are so excited to tell you that @benhowardmusic has announced a concert at @THSHBirmingham to support Koestler T… https://t.co/tHAM20JvoW Tuesday 30th of October 2018, 3:02:28 pm

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Contact us

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Our Impact

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The art awards scheme for offenders, secure patients and detainees

I’m Still Here

2018 Koestler Awards Results

100 Years On

AWARDS 2018

Awards

Koestler Events

Exhibitions

Mentoring

Artforms

Donate

Shop

Sign up for our newsletter

Press

About us

Twitter

Support Us

Contact us

Our Impact