OUR MISSION

Our mission is to normalize the inclusion of incarcerated writers and artists in mainstream venues by bridging the gap between them and harnessing this creative proximity as a path to de-carceration and public safety.

To achieve our mission we have a twofold strategy. We support the most talented writers and artists in prisons across the country, providing them the resources they need to get their creative work outside prison walls, be fairly compensated, and contribute their creativity to the movements of abolition, de-carceration, and liberation of incarcerated people.

Secondly, we support capacity building for publications, galleries, museums and other organizations committed to this work, to help them meaningfully center currently-incarcerated people in creative spaces while fairly compensating them.

Artwork Detail: 2042, Lamavis Comundoiwilla, 2020

OUR GOALS

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Get the voices of incarcerated people past the choir and into mainstream venues to build more public support for ending the Prison Industrial Complex.

Help incarcerated people access paid opportunities in the creative economy, build creative and professional relationships, gain relevant knowledge and skills, and collaborate with communities beyond bars.

Support outside institutions and individuals in hiring incarcerated individuals to do creative work, especially in fields and projects related to mass incarceration.

Support work (like investigative journalism or socially-justice centered art) in order to hold systems accountable.

Prepare writers and artists “pre-entry” by supporting their professional goals while still incarcerated.

Provide grants for incarcerated creatives to curate events and spearhead initiatives and programming inside their prisons.

Break cycles of poverty and intergenerational incarceration.

Current Events

CURRENT EVENTS

PAINTING OURSELVES INTO SOCIETY

SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2024 — JANUARY 12TH, 2025

‍CURATED BY ORLANDO SMITH & RAHSAAN THOMAS

‍Empowerment Avenue and Berkeley Art Center co-present Painting Ourselves into Society. This exhibition is co-curated by Orlando Smith aka “O. Smith” from inside San Quentin Prison and Rahsaan “New York” Thomas, who has returned to society after 22 years inside. It features the works of eight currently and formerly incarcerated artists nationwide exploring what it means for incarcerated people to stay connected to the larger community and to challenge the idea of what healing looks like together.

ARTISTS ON VIEW
Alvin Smith
Cedar Annenkovna
Corey Devon Arthur
De’jon Joy
Jared Owens
Jessie Milo
Joanna Nixon
Mark A Cádiz

Alvin Smith, Outside The Rusting Decay Of Confinement, 2024

Upcoming Events

Public Programs

Building Beloved Communities Across Prison Walls

When: Saturday, Nov 2nd, 11am—3pm
Where: In-person at the Berkeley Art Center
1275 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA

We will explore through facilitated dialogue what it means to build beloved community among incarcerated culture bearers and local residents.
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‍All programs will include calls from artists in prisons across the country.

PRESS

KALW Interview with Rahsaan Thomas
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We are thrilled to share that our very own Rahsaan Thomas was recently featured on KALW’s “State of Bay.” In this insightful interview, Rahsaan discusses his inspiring journey and the impactful art created by the incarcerated community. Tune in to hear his powerful story and learn more about our mission to empower artists behind bars.

Listen to the full interview here