Evaluation Title

Art on the Inside: How Do Prison Art Teachers Maintain Their Professional Practice as Artist?

Type of evaluation

Data type Qualitative

Evaluation Focus Distinctive contribution of Arts, Impact of arts-based approaches, Impact on institution, Personal development, Skills development

Key indicator Professional development

Methodologies Discussion, Questionnaires, Survey

Delivery methodology Action Research

Research limitations Limited time, Sample size

Summary of evaluation

This evaluation asks the question: how do prison art teachers actively seek out opportunity for development and advancement in their specialist field? It empowers the voice of eight prison art teachers as artists working within a broad context of custodial settings including young offender’s institutes, adult male prisons and a private women’s prison. Participants consider the impact of activities and continued professional development supported by the prison or direct employer upon their practice and professional standing. They also discuss the impact of such practice and development upon the learner and the profile of the arts within their respective institutions.

Key Quote

Some art teachers felt as if CPD in their own specialist area was often overlooked and there is a lack of opportunity to develop artistic skills within the workplace.  All the teachers recognised the need to keep their practice updated and current, all desired to learn or develop new skills.


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Arts Alliance Evidence Library