Justice Arts Coalition

Mission

Justice Arts Coalition (JAC) unites teaching artists, arts advocates, artists who are or have been incarcerated and their allies, harnessing the transformative power of the arts to reimagine justice. Through the sharing of resources, stories, and learning opportunities, JAC is building a nationwide collective of people who are committed to increasing opportunities for creative expression in carceral settings, amplifying the voices of those most impacted by mass incarceration, and shaping public dialogue around the intersection of the arts and justice. JAC has remained a grassroots project throughout its recent transformation into a national 501c3 nonprofit organization.

The work of Justice Arts Coalition is grounded in the beliefs that:

• Creative expression is both a human need and a human right
• Creative expression is essential to healing, reconciliation, and community-building
• Participation in the artistic process significantly affects a person’s self-worth and sense of purpose and meaning
• Art is an individual expression of universal human experience, increases empathy and serves as a bridge between diverse groups

Justice Arts Coalition values human dignity, equity, and integrity.
Artists and advocates inside and outside of prison come together to share our passion for art experiences that welcome a multitude of voices, inspire creative expression, embrace authentic dialogue, and reveal our shared humanity.

• We put relationships first, and will not sacrifice human connection and direct support for organizational expansion
• We remain committed to amplifying the voices of system-impacted artists. Their leadership and guidance in all JAC activities is sought and encouraged

Organization Information