Who We Are

Our Mission, History & Values

The William James Association (WJA) is dedicated to fostering transformative change through the arts, environment, education, and community development. Our mission is to create meaningful artistic experiences in nontraditional settings, particularly for individuals impacted by incarceration, high-risk youth, and returning residents. Through programs like the Prison Arts Project and the Community Youth Arts Project, we empower participants with creative expression, fostering personal growth, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

Our commitment to service is rooted in our history. Founded in 1973 by Page Smith and Paul Lee, WJA was inspired by American philosopher William James’ vision of "peacetime service" as an alternative to war service, outlined in his essay, "A Moral Equivalent of War." This philosophy guided our early initiatives, such as the William James Work Company, which helped over 30,000 unemployed individuals find jobs, and our efforts in homelessness advocacy, which led to the establishment of the River Street Shelter and the transformation of A Free Meal into Santa Cruz’s Homeless Community Resource Center. These foundational efforts continue to inform our work today as we use the arts to build bridges, break down stigma, and inspire lasting change.

Our Core Values

At WJA, we believe in the profound power of the arts to heal, unite, and enrich communities. By bringing exceptional artists into prisons across California and beyond, we have witnessed firsthand how the act of creating art fosters personal transformation and improves lives. Our programs focus on cultivating artistic potential, building community, and empowering individuals to express themselves and envision new futures.

Our work aims to change the narrative surrounding those impacted by the criminal legal system by offering safe spaces for self-expression and fostering a community that values creativity and personal growth. We believe the arts are a powerful tool for dismantling mass incarceration, raising public awareness, and promoting restorative justice.

We uphold values of compassion, respect, and justice in all our initiatives, aiming to create a more equitable and restorative society through the arts.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge and honor the Amah Mutsun people, the original stewards of the land where our office is located. We recognize the painful history of colonization and stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities in their fight for visibility, independence, and empowerment. We periodically burn sage in remembrance of their spirits and remain committed to supporting their causes.

To learn more about the Indigenous Nation that occupies the land where you live, visit here.

Equity & Inclusion in The Arts

WJA is committed to fostering social change through the arts, especially in addressing systemic inequities such as the disproportionate incarceration of people of color. We strive to provide equitable access to the arts by breaking down barriers to participation.

We prioritize inclusion across race, ethnicity, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and religion. We recognize the compounded challenges faced by individuals with intersecting marginalized identities and take a thoughtful, strategic approach to addressing these disparities.

Through intentional hiring practices, outreach to diverse artists, culturally responsive programming, and staff training in cultural competency, we ensure that our work fosters a culture of belonging for all. We remain dedicated to using the arts as a catalyst for justice and equity.

Commitment to Humanizing Language

At WJA, we aim to challenge the negative labels and stigmas often associated with those impacted by the criminal justice system. Words like "inmate," "felon," or "convict" dehumanize and marginalize individuals, limiting their ability to reintegrate into society even after serving their time.

We believe that language should reflect the dignity, humanity, and potential for growth in every individual. By using humanizing language, we aim to break down barriers and help those with justice system involvement rebuild their lives and identities.

Resources

• Fortune Society’s Words Matter Guide
• Underground Scholars: Language Guide
• The Marshall Project’s The Language Project