Justice Arts Coalition

JAC elevates the works, voices, and humanity of people impacted by the criminal legal system and establishes bonds between those inside and outside prison walls. Its multi-arts distance-learning program, CorrespondArts, is the first serving people in Maryland prisons. Participants choose their discipline – creative writing, visual arts, theatre – and JAC provides supplies, lessons, and prompts to stimulate creativity. Through letter writing and the exchange of creative work, pARTner Project brings 250 incarcerated artists together with artists and arts appreciators on the outside. ArtLinks exhibitions have featured over 100 incarcerated artists while also offering community members the opportunity to share reflections and feedback in personal letters. Reaching over 300 attendees since its launch in summer 2020, Create + Connect workshops feature artists, restorative and transformative justice practitioners, advocates, and activists who demonstrate how the arts can foster dialogue, ignite change, and create connection.