(Above) Work by young offenders created in partnership with the National Gallery. Picture © National Gallery, London
A disused outbuilding at a London prison will become the unlikely venue for the first glimpse of a National Gallery exhibition thanks to a new outreach programme working with young people.
The Art Academy at Feltham Young Offender Institute has been reopened as a place for detainees to sculpt, draw, paint and gild under the tutorship of four major artists, using enormous prints of selected paintings from the collections to spark debate and inspiration.
The Art Academy at Feltham has been reopened for the ambitious outreach programme. Picture © National Gallery, London
"The Gallery is always looking to develop and extend its programmes, as we believe that everyone has the capacity to understand, enjoy and be stimulated by the great paintings in its collection," said NG Head of Education Colin Wiggins, discussing the philosophy behind the Inside Art programme.
Head of Education Colin Wiggins says the scheme aims to be inclusive. Picture © National Gallery, London
"We hope that these exercises of the imagination can assist the young men at Feltham in a process of re-evaluating the consequences of their actions."
Groups of ten young men take part in the sessions. Picture © National Gallery, London
The sessions, which began earlier this year, challenge 18-21 year olds to engage with their creative process and develop their communication, wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem for the benefit of their reintegration into society.
Inside Art hopes to benefit the reintegration of 18-21 year olds into society. Picture © National Gallery, London
The artistic results will debut at the Academy before opening at the Gallery in Spring 2010. Organisers hope to extend the project to theatre, dance and music depending on the findings of the three-year scheme.
