Prison Arts
The Prison Arts Program promotes self-examination and self-esteem in Connecticut inmates through participation in visual arts classes, exhibitions and publications, and brings the talent and creativity of the prison population to the community at large.
The Prison Arts Program provides classes and projects, as well as publication and exhibition opportunities, to people incarcerated in several of Connecticut’s correctional facilities. We believe that the arts are a vital tool in aiding inmates to use their sentenced time constructively by provoking them to develop their self-discipline, self-esteem, work ethic, and interpersonal and communication skills while they examine their lives and the actions which led to their incarceration.
“We provide classes and projects devoted to provoking inmates to begin to understand themselves and how to effectively express their thoughts and emotions.
Our role is to be a motivator, and we target those inmates who wish to truly understand the process of learning and self criticism and who will continue to grow as artists and as human beings.”
— Jeffrey Greene, Program Manager
Our Work
Each year the Prison Arts Program organizes an Annual Show from artists in the eighteen facilities within Connecticut’s correctional system. The show, which features recent work, brings inmate art to the outside community and connects the arts community to our incarcerated artists.
Community Partners in Action makes a practice of purchasing several exceptional artworks every year in order to build a permanent collection. This collection travels to public schools, universities, libraries, and community centers throughout the state and is a valuable resource which documents and preserves the extraordinary work of the Prison Arts Program and the artists.
The Journal of the Prison Arts Program has been in publication since 1987. The Journal expands the reach of the program by sharing inmate art and writing with a larger community and gives inmates an opportunity to convey their invaluable knowledge and experience concerning a wide range of artistic, intellectual and social issues.
Support Us
Prison Arts Program Greeting Cards are available here!
Don’t miss out on a limited edition greeting card featuring the artwork of Nicholas Palumbo!
His artwork “Forgive” was cut with a nail clipper, in one piece, from a 19” x 24” sheet of card stock.
Packs of 8 cards are available for $10.
Our Funding
The Prison Arts Program relies primarily on private giving.
These are a few examples of how your donation can make a difference:
• $125 will provide an instructor and teaching supplies for one class in a 10-session workshop.
• $75 will provide art materials for one inmate for an entire 10-session workshop.
• $25 will print and ship five Prison Arts Program Journals to a public library or school.
• $15 will ship artwork from an inmate to a loved one at the conclusion of an exhibition.
• Larger donations will support our traveling exhibitions throughout the country.
To make an in-kind donation, or to underwrite the annual Journal or a traveling exhibition, please contact Jeff Greene via e-mail or at (860) 722-9450.
Prison Arts
110 Bartholomew Ave., Suite 3010
Hartford, CT 06106
Tel: (860) 722-9450