Koestler Arts

Who we are

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

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

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

We are a small, friendly team. We are based at the Koestler Arts Centre which is near Shepherds Bush in west London, a short walk from East Acton tube station (central line) and with plenty of buses passing close by.