Prison Arts Blog
Arts in Corrections Alumni Outreach
The William James Association is doing research to measure how and to what extent Arts in Corrections has affected those who participated in it. We hope that you will help us with this research by sharing your own experiences of the program. We are looking for...
Call for Teaching Artists – Santa Cruz
William James Association's Community Youth Arts Project is looking for visual artists to teach teenagers in Alternative High Schools throughout Santa Cruz County. The mission of the Community Youth Arts Project (CYAP) is to provide quality, in-depth arts experiences...
SVSP Writers on “First Person Singular” Podcast from KUSP
These pieces were written and recorded by students of Magdalena Zschokke in an Arts in Corrections Creative Writing Class at Salinas Valley State Prison in the spring of 2015. Magdalena the Inventor —April 6, 2015 Trey divides his time —April 22,...
Prison Arts Panel on Alcatraz, short film
A panel of artists who are formerly incarcerated, share of their experience of art programming while behind bars. Art acts as an oasis in a stark environment and helps shift one's mindset towards a search for inspiration in whatever circumstances. Thanks to Visceral...
Trust the Spirits
Trust the Spirits (LONG CUT) by Benjamin Garcia Candelaria. Check out this video that features Henry Frank, an amazing Native American artist who played a big role in the San Quentin studio for many years and is out now and making art like crazy.
Art & The Prison Crisis
Made by Eric Thiermann & Mark Schwartz of Impact Production in 1982, this documentary showcases Arts in Corrections in its early days. The lapels aren't as wide, but everything in the video holds up today. Gaining tremendous support and momentum over the past...
“GOOD MAN ” A Prison Arts Project Story
"GOOD MAN ” A Prison Arts Project Story from David Swope. After spending over eight years at San Quentin, Ronnie Goodman got "another chance at life." David Swope partnered with Curtis Myers and Nick Kova to produce this pro bono short film about hope and...
San Quentin Bands featured at SQ Music Lockdown: Sweetwater Benefit
Using video projection, three San Quentin Bands played alongside Marin County bands Beso Negro and This Old Earthquake at SQ Music Lockdown: Sweetwater Benefit in support of Prison Music & Art, Sweetwater Music Hall, February 8, 2014.  The legendary nightclub...
“God’s Trombones†at the Central California Women’s Facility, April 29, 2014
Some 300 women prisoners, a dozen prison staff, and a select group of outside visitors were given a profoundly moving and uplifting presentation of James Weldon Johnson’s “God’s Trombones†this past Tuesday evening at CCWF, Chowchilla. The power of music and...
The Last Inmate to Escape From ALCATRAZ
by Tim Fitzmaurice It began in the rather innocuous and studiously unassertive surroundings of a church hall, in Santa Cruz, the kind with folding chairs and a kitchen you can access through a narrow window. It was the Friday performance of the play “In the Kitchen...