Nominations to Big ‘A’ Prison Arts Leadership Awards 2010

11 February 2010
Arts Access Aotearoa is seeking nominations for the Big ‘A’ Awards 2010, which includes the Big ‘A’ Prison Arts Leadership Award. The deadline for nominations is Friday 26 March 2010.

The Big ‘A’ Prison Arts Leadership Award, worth $500, recognises the outstanding contribution of prison staff, contractors or volunteers in the rehabilitation of prisoners through the arts. To be eligible, the nominated person must be an employee, contractor or volunteer with the Department of Corrections, and involved directly in a prison arts programme.

Last year, the Hon Judith Collins, Minister of Corrections, presented the Big ‘A’ Prison Arts Leadership Award 2009 to Mark Lynds, Programmes Manager at Auckland Prison and Northern Region Corrections Facility, at a special ceremony in Parliament.
“Art creates the opportunity for self-expression, self-belief and mana enhancement,” Mark says. “There are also opportunities for some of the really talented artists inside to build  knowledge, gain qualifications and create a viable vocational option for themselves.”

The 2008 recipient was Moana Tipa (Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Ngati Kahungunu, Celt). She has worked among iwi and the arts community for more than 25 years. In 2001, Moana developed a pilot arts programme for the Department of Corrections to trial with prisoners. The pilot has evolved to become a recognised programme, which Moana has been facilitating for the past five years in Canterbury prisons.

Downloads

1. Big 'A' Awards 2010 information sheet pdf

2. Big 'A' Prison Arts Leadership Award 2010 nomination form Word document

3. Big 'A' Awards 2010 FAQs pdf