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

The deadline for the 2020 Koestler Awards for arts in criminal justice settings has now passed.

This year’s Themed Category is window. We invited our entrants to have a go at producing a poem, drawing, painting, song or any other Koestler Artform using the word window, as a theme.

We know the importance of our work to those who are in the criminal justice system, particularly those who may be more isolated than usual, due to specific challenges our prisons and other secure settings are facing.

We are delighted to have received over 6,500 entries by the revised deadline of 7 July. Thank you to our panel of socially-distanced judges, who have now selected their 2020 Koestler Award winners and congratulations to all of the artists.

Koestler Awards Results

2020 Awards Results Announced!

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Behind the Scenes

Hear from our 2020 Koestler Awards judging team about this year's awards.

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2020 Awards FAQs

Due to the impact of Covid-19, there have been a few changes to the 2020 Koestler Awards.

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Art Aid

In response to the prison lockdown, we will be sharing a weekly Art Aid sheet with simple activities to help inspire learners in secure settings.

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Under 18s Fast Feedback

Entrants who are under 18 can enter the Koestler Awards at any point in the year and get a response to their entries within 4 weeks of entry, with guaranteed feedback.

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Installation at Southbank Centre

Koestler Arts and Southbank Centre have been working hard to ensure that we still reflect the voices of prisoners from across the UK this autumn.

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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!

2020 Stage Play Awards

This year, we are joining up once again with groundbreaking theatre charity, Synergy Theatre Project, to showcase Stage Play entries and provide feedback for the writers.

Download the stage play guidelines (PDF)

2020 Guidance Notes

Guidelines for entering this year's Koestler Awards

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