The Center for Art & Advocacy

Mission

The Center for Art and Advocacy believes there is an abundance of uncultivated talent and exceptional creativity among individuals who share the lived experience of incarceration. At a time when the U.S. leads the world in the criminalization of its most vulnerable populations—often made up of people with marginalized identities—justice-impacted artists remain especially at risk of being under-funded, under-mentored, under-resourced, and disconnected from traditional institutions and arts communities.

The Center is dedicated to removing these barriers and empowering justice-impacted artists across disciplines, recognizing that their distinct creative vision has the power to challenge punitive systems, reshape public discourse, create more connected communities, and inspire movements for justice.

Vision

To improve outcomes for these artists, we provide financial and community support through our catalytic Fellowship program, capacity-building Academy and Arts Incubator, exhibition and programming opportunities through our Gallery, and practice exploration through our forthcoming Residency and Retreat in rural Pennsylvania. Through mentorship and professional development at every stage, we equip our community with the tools to succeed—helping to reframe our society’s criminal legal narrative, advocating for racial justice and equity, and using art to build, organize, and support local and national movements. 

Action

Their distinctive perspective makes this community specially equipped to advance change throughout the United States by reframing our society’s criminal legal narrative and advocacy for racial justice and equity, using the vehicle of art to build, organize, and support local and national movements.