Equity in Action - Empowering Justice-Involved Individuals through Artistic Literacy

Equity in Action - Empowering Justice-Involved Individuals through Artistic Literacy


Introduction
Equity in action requires intentional efforts to empower justice-involved individuals through artistic literacy and capacity building. This white paper, tailored for nonprofits, faith-based communities, and advocacy organizations, delves into tangible ways that artistic literacy programs can create lasting change. Drawing from case studies, program models, and resources, it offers insights into building sustainable support systems for justice-involved individuals.


The Transformative Power of Artistic Literacy
Artistic literacy goes beyond traditional forms of education, providing individuals with the tools to express themselves creatively and engage with the world. The National Endowment for the Arts emphasizes the impact of arts engagement on social outcomes, including increased civic participation and improved community well-being (National Endowment for the Arts, 2020). Artistic literacy becomes a powerful vehicle for justice-involved individuals to reclaim their narratives.


Case Studies: Realizing Change through Artistic Literacy


1.The Arts for Reentry Program (ARP): Examined in the Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, ARP uses artistic literacy to facilitate reintegration. Participants engage in creative writing, visual arts, and performance, leading to increased self-efficacy and reduced recidivism rates (Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 2019).


2. The Artistic Literacy Initiative in Faith-Based Communities: Highlighted by the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, this initiative incorporates artistic literacy into faith-based programs. Through storytelling, music, and visual arts, justice-involved individuals experience personal growth and enhanced community connections (Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, 2018).


3. Strategic Arts and Education Initiative (SAE): Funded by the Ford Foundation, The mission of the SAE initiative is to provide free artistic literacy, professional development, and capacity building trainings and workshops to new and existing community-based artists (specifically those that have justice-involvement), young adults, students, advocates, teaching artists, practitioners, legal advocates, and organizations who want to learn more about entrepreneurship, community enhancement and/or how they can use the arts to mitigate the imprint of the criminal legal system.
Program Models: Building Sustainable Support Systems


1. Integrated Arts Education: Infuse artistic literacy into educational programs for justice-involved individuals. The RAND Corporation emphasizes the benefits of arts education in correctional settings, including improved self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment (RAND Corporation, 2013).


2. Community-Based Art Workshops: Collaborate with local artists and organizations to provide accessible art workshops. The Urban Institute's research on community-based arts initiatives highlights their potential to address social inequalities and foster community connections (Urban Institute, 2018).


Resources for Artistic Literacy and Capacity Building


1. Americans for the Arts - Arts Education Navigator: A comprehensive guide offering resources and tools for integrating arts education into various settings, including correctional facilities (Americans for the Arts, 2021).


2. Art for Justice Fund: A grant-making initiative supporting artistic initiatives that seek to reform the criminal justice system and empower justice-involved individuals (Art for Justice Fund, n.d.).


3. The Confined Arts: Provides free strategic arts engagement education to artists who are formerly incarcerated, teaching artists, practitioners, and legal advocates who want to learn more about how they can use the arts to mitigate the imprints of economic and social inequality.​


Conclusion: Building Equitable Futures through Artistic Literacy
Equity in action demands a commitment to providing justice-involved individuals with the transformative tools of artistic literacy. By embracing case studies, program models, and available resources, nonprofits, faith-based communities, and advocacy organizations can play a pivotal role in building equitable futures for those impacted by the criminal justice system.


References

• Americans for the Arts. (2021). Arts education navigator.
• Art for Justice Fund. (n.d.). About.
• Joint Religious Legislative Coalition. (2018). Healing justice: Bringing artistic literacy to faith communities.
• Journal of Offender Rehabilitation. (2019). Arts for Reentry Program: A randomized controlled trial.
• National Endowment for the Arts. (2020). Arts and civic engagement.
• RAND Corporation. (2013). The arts and correctional education: Policies and practices.
• Urban Institute. (2018). Building community resilience through the arts.

The information provided herein has been compiled based on Isaac Scott's 10 years of art and criminal legal advocacy. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, some references from online sources may be unpublished, and certain materials may require subscriptions for full access. Users are encouraged to use the provided references as a starting point and are further encouraged to conduct independent research to verify and expand upon the topics presented. The content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Readers should consult with qualified professionals for advice on specific legal matters.