City of Philadelphia MuralArtsProgram

This October, the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program was proud to have hosted the first Arts in Criminal Justice National Conference. This action-packed, four-day event brought together over 250 artists, activists, judges, legislators, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, police and probation officers, students, young people, and many others.

Together we toured two prisons and saw some amazing art, including several performances and films. Most importantly, we learned from each other in an inspiring and uplifting way. Many of us came away from this conference with several similar impressions: there is so much to talk about and to do; we are all a part of a burgeoning field; and that we want to continue to meet with, hear from, and be influenced by each other.

Immediately after the conference, a group of about 15 people, representing a variety of disciplines, perspectives, geographical regions, life experiences, and backgrounds, met to discuss next steps. Based partly on feedback from conference attendees, this group made a number of recommendations to keep us all moving along together, including those folks who were unable to attend the conference.

THE FORMATION OF THE ARTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE NATIONAL ALLIANCE
This alliance, which will take shape over time, will be guided in its earliest stages by the Mural Arts Program, with the help of a number of people from around the country. The first tasks of the alliance: develop a website to serve as a hub of information and activity, and to help us stay connected online and in person. Robyn Buseman, MAP?s director of adjudicated programming and a member of the Saturday discussion group, will be guiding this process.

REGIONAL GATHERINGS
Many people found that just being with like-minded people and talking about the challenges and joys inherent in the work was of great value. It helped us reduce our sense of isolation, see colleagues face-to-face for the first time or in a long time, and rekindled our creative fires. Therefore, we encourage people to get together in their own areas to talk about their needs, collaborate on projects, brainstorm, and socialize. Mara Flamm will be helping folks link together for these gatherings.

WEBSITE
We have taken the first steps with the website, but new features will be added over time. Eventually we hope to develop a website that is both user-friendly and easily updatable, so that folks can share their latest research, success stories, wish lists, and resources, in a very timely manner. Please check in frequently, and if you have any suggestions, please E-mail them to info@artsincriminaljustice.org. Jennifer Storey, conference coordinator, will be helping with this transition.

Thank you again for helping to make this conference the moving experience that it was, and I look forward to seeing its effects ripple throughout the country as we remain connected.

With Gratitude,

Jane Golden
Director
Philadelphia Mural Arts Program




Bugs, made from plastic utensils by Thomas Shilk, a participant in the MAP program at SCI-Graterford.