Art and Justice National Collective
Our Mission
The Art + Justice National Collective is committed to connecting and empowering individuals and organizations working at the intersection of arts and justice.
We believe prisons are detrimental to individual welfare and social well-being. We advocate for more avenues and resources for creative self-expression and work to uplift its benefits and empowerment. Our mission is rooted in an unwavering belief in the transformative power of art. We nurture partnerships, foster growth among kindred organizations nationwide, and aim to shape public dialogues and decisions that impact those we serve.
Our Origin Story
This Collective is a shared initiative between JAC and the Arts Justice Safety Coalition (AJSC). JAC unites artists and allies inside and outside of prison to harness the transformative and liberatory power of the arts to reimagine justice. AJSC was launched in 2020 with the partnership of The Confined Arts, the Center for Court Innovation, and Conspiring for Good, and is made up of art programs and practitioners working at the intersection of art and justice reform to strengthen and sustain community resilience through advocacy and reform.
We hosted an inaugural gathering in the spring of 2023 to explore the formation of a national collective — a virtual event to create relationships among artists, arts organizations, and arts practitioners to learn from each other, create shared language, and evolve an ecosystem for progress as our society works for non-punitive responses to harm.
In the words of Ruth Wilson Gilmore, “abolition is about presence, not absence.” We rely on each other in this work and cannot maximize the power of the arts in our movement towards abolition without broader synergy. The inaugural meeting was attended by artists and advocates from across the country. We discussed new ways of gathering and sharing resources, contribute ideas, and offer feedback to identity goals for a national collective.
Since that inaugural meeting, several working groups formed and have started to meeting regularly:
- The Funding Group’s mission encompasses several key initiatives. Firstly, we will conduct a comprehensive survey within the coalition to ascertain the specific resources and workshops that members require. This will guide our efforts in tailoring support to individual needs. Additionally, we are committed to thorough prospect research for grants and adept grant writing to secure crucial funding. To further bolster the coalition’s capacity, we will develop internal workshops and provide accessible templates for grant management, prospect research, and any other essential tools members may find valuable. Through these concerted efforts, the Funding Group aims to equip coalition members with the essential resources and knowledge needed to advance their missions effectively.
- The Advocacy Group is dedicated to championing critical causes within the realm of self-expression and creativity with systems-impacted communities and individuals. The advocacy group creates and disseminates impactful campaigns around the issues member organizations experience in fostering creative self-expression, always with an abolitionist lens and intent. Through strategic advocacy, we provide pathways for incarcerated and justice-impacted to share their voices through art.
- The Collaborative Programming Group is committed to fostering synergy and innovation in our initiatives. We are dedicated to identifying common ground and new programming opportunities and best practices, both locally and nationally, to strengthen our collective efforts. By exploring these synergies and sharing valuable insights, we aim to enhance the impact of our initiatives and advance our mission of creating positive change within our communities.
- The Research and Data Tracking Group is instrumental in generating and leveraging crucial insights to implement our mission and refine our objectives. Our primary focus includes conducting comprehensive internal and external surveys and evaluations, as well as undertaking research writing projects. By employing these methods, we will gather valuable data that informs and strengthens our initiatives. This group plays a vital role in ensuring that our actions are rooted in evidence and contribute to meaningful, data-driven change.
- The Communications Group is the voice of our mission, responsible for both internal and external communication. We manage our public profile, oversee social media outreach, and engage in public outreach efforts. Additionally, we handle website design and management and social media to ensure that our online presence effectively conveys our message and connects with our audience. Our aim is to cultivate meaningful connections, raise awareness, and effectively communicate our mission to a broader community.
- The Accountability Group is dedicated to fostering a supportive and accountable community. We extend a warm welcome to new members and facilitate their seamless integration into the group. Within our community, we prioritize internal accountability, ensuring that all members uphold our shared values and commitments. Through the establishment of clear community agreements, we provide a framework for conflict resolution, promoting a harmonious and constructive environment that upholds the integrity and cohesiveness of our community.
The full Collective’s monthly meetings provide a time for working groups to report back on their progress, explore opportunities for collaboration, and give and receive feedback from the larger group.
To learn more or get involved, please email info@thejusticeartscoalition.org and request to join our Google Group, where information about these efforts is shared.
Wednesday Night Network Gatherings
At the start of the pandemic, JAC started hosting weekly Zoom gatherings to strengthen our community, provide support and learning opportunities for people whose work is focused on ensuring that incarcerated folks have access to opportunities for creative expression, and form a bridge for people not involved in this work to see and understand the urgency of what is happening inside facilities in light of COVID-19. We were thinking about the ways in which we, as artists, advocates, and allies, can inspire action on the outside and continue to provide people inside with opportunities for creative expression. Our weekly Wednesday evening Zoom gatherings alternated between full group dialogue, guest presentations, and activities that deepen our sense of connection with each other and across our network. Wednesday night gatherings are currently on hiatus as we focus our efforts on the building of the National Collective.
