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What’s art got to do with it? Creativity in Scotland’s prisons
When
Friday 11 September 2026
12:00 - 14:00
Where
The Royal Society of Edinburgh
22-26 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2PQ
View directions on Google Maps
Format
In-person
Access
Wheelchair access, Wheelchair accessible toilets
Age
Suitable for ages 16+
Cost
Free to book
About this event
Experiences of imprisonment through Scotland’s longest running prisoner-made magazine.
Prisoner-made magazines give us unique insights into experiences of incarceration through the words, images and artworks of people living in prison.
Yet, these creative outputs are often overlooked when looking at what incarceration is like for prisoners in Scotland.
This workshop invites you to learn more about incarceration by looking closely at STIR, Scotland’s longest-running prisoner-made magazine. You’ll also have the chance to create your own visual or creative writing piece after exploring a selection of STIR editions.
STIR is an arts magazine that is created by prisoners, for prisoners.
The workshop consists of three parts:
- An introduction to Scottish prisons.
- An overview of STIR magazine and its contents across themed issues.
- A workshop activity where participants create their own collage or creative writing piece in response to what they see and read in STIR.
By coming along to this Curious workshop, you can gain a better understanding of what prison is like for incarcerated people, as told through their own artwork and creative writing.
Note for attendees: Any event on the topic of incarceration can be distressing. It’s important to note that STIR magazine does not print any artwork or written work that glorifies violence or crime, and submissions on individuals’ personal crimes are not accepted.
Tickets go live on Thursday 23 July at 11am.
Event type
Curious
Workshop
Contributors
Dr Kristin Anderson
Lecturer in Criminology, Edinburgh Napier UniversitySPEAKER
Kirstin Anderson has taught for twenty-four years in schools, universities and prisons. She has a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and led the first empirical study to look at music education and music making in Scottish prisons. Kirstin is a Lecturer in Criminology at Edinburgh Napier University. She has written about education and arts in prisons, public health and criminal justice, prison overcrowding and prison abolition. She edited ‘The Barlinnie Special Unit: Art, Punishment and Innovation’ and is currently on a Royal Society of Edinburgh Personal Fellowship undertaking research on the history of Scottish prisons. She runs book groups in HMP Shotts and the Lilias Centre in Scotland.
Contact us
If you have an event enquiry, please email us on public_engagement@theRSE.org.uk.Event testimonial
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What is Curious?
Curious is the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s (RSE) free festival that celebrates the research, ideas and knowledge shaping society today.
Each year, Curious brings a packed programme of free in-person and online events covering themes from the arts, humanities, policy, science and more. To date, we’ve welcomed over 10,000 attendees for talks, workshops, exhibitions and discussions where you can learn from and speak with Scotland’s leading thinkers. As part of the RSE’s mission to make knowledge useful and accessible for everyone, Curious is open to anyone who wants to learn more about the world around them. No specialist knowledge is needed, just bring your curiosity.
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