ART IN PRISONS | NEW SOUTH WALES
boom gate gallery | LONG BAY CORRECTIONAL COMPLEX
Long Bay Correctional Complex has a long tradition of creating significant inmate artwork. Inmates continue to practice art at the complex, with many pieces available for display and sale at the Boom Gate Gallery.
The Boom Gate Gallery opened at Long Bay Correctional Complex at Matraville in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs in 1992 and since then has sold hundreds of works by inmate artists, including paintings, drawings and sculptures.
Inmates are referred to the gallery by custodial and non-custodial staff, psychologists, welfare and education staff. More than 80 per cent of the works exhibited are created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inmates.About 85 per cent of the sale price goes to the artist, with the remainder used for administration costs and art supplies.
About 85 per cent of the sale price goes to the artist, with the remainder used for administration costs and art supplies.
Girrawaa Arts Centre | Bathurst Correctional Centre
Up to 15 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inmates are involved in the program, which is designed to help them develop artistic skills, create an artistic portfolio and learn how to sell their artwork and build careers as successful artists.
Inmates create Aboriginal artefacts such as boomerangs, paintings and didgeridoos. These pieces are sold to the public and government agencies as well as to a wholesaler.
Pieces are exhibited in government buildings including CSNSW, TAFE NSW, Education NSW and local councils.
Money generated from artwork sales is put back into the centre's operating costs.
The program is part of Corrective Services Industries and provides Aboriginal inmates with cultural, educational, vocational, workplace and business management skills. Inmates complete specialised courses such as Aboriginal contemporary design, picture framing and sandblasting through TAFE Western as well as basic small business courses.
These skills aim to help them gain work on their release from custody and reduces their risk of re-offending.
Cooma Craft Gallery | Cooma
The art and craft program is available to carefully selected inmates at the nearby Cooma Correctional Centre. They must apply for a craftsman's certificate to participate.
Up to 60 inmates are registered craftsmen with up to four produciong their works on site. They're self-taught and required to pay for their own art materials. The art program is regarded as a form of therapy and keeps inmates focused.
For more information on the NSW programs, visit the NSW Corrections website
