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.

2020 Koestler Awards

Our 2020 Koestler Awards Themed Category was ‘window’. We invited entrants to produce a poem, drawing, painting, song or other Koestler Artform inspired by the word ‘window’.

With so many entrants unable to access classes, materials or staff members to send in their artworks, we were worried about the number of people who would be able to take part in the 2020 Koestler Awards and benefit from the feedback, awards, judging and certificates.

Once again, however, the resilience, creativity and drive of our entrants and the staff supporting them shone through. The Koestler Arts Centre quickly filled with 6,419 entries to the Awards. This is only 1,000 fewer entries than in 2019. In the face of such adversity, it was a delight to celebrate the achievements of so many people

Thank you to our panel of socially-distanced judges, who selected their 2020 Koestler Award winners and congratulations to the artists.

Koestler Awards Results

2020 Awards Results Announced!

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Behind the Scenes

Hear from our team of experts about judging the 2020 Koestler Awards

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Art Aid

In response to the prison lockdown, we shared weekly Art Aid sheets with simple activities to help inspire learners in secure settings.

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Installation at Southbank Centre

No Lockdown in the Imagination was an installation of artwork by people in the criminal justice system outdoors at London's Southbank Centre

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Yorkshire Exhibition

Koestler Arts are coming to Yorkshire for the first time in 2021! We’re partnering with Millennium Gallery in Sheffield to exhibit artwork entered into the 2020 Koestler Awards.

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North West England Exhibition

Plans are underway for an exhibition of artwork by entrants across the North West of England as part of the Ripples of Hope Festival of Human Rights, at HOME in Manchester in 2021.

More info coming soon!