Prison Creative Arts Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workshops & Courses

PCAP offers programming year-round that brings the University of Michigan community and those impacted by the justice system into creative collaboration for mutual learning and growth.

Linkage Community

The Linkage Community is an alliance of artists and creators with lived experience in prison who are interested in deepening their craft in spaces of radical acceptance and authentic connections.

Exhibits

PCAP exhibits bring the artwork of incarcerated artists into the public realm in order to humanize prisoners, break stereotypes and create dialogue about mass incarceration.

 

 

Annual Exhibition of Artists in Michigan Prisons

Every year, PCAP puts on its annual exhibition featuring paintings, sculptures, drawings, and more from unique artists across 25 Michigan prisons. This exposition is the world’s largest display of its kind, where underground art meets academic exhibition.

Ways to Get Involved

There are many different ways to get involved in PCAP for students, volunteers, formerly incarcerated folks, and the families and friends of people currently incarcerated. 

  • PCAP facilitates creative arts workshops in Michigan prisons and other facilities during the fall and winter terms, run through Membership and University of Michigan courses (a September or January training session is required). 
  • The Annual Exhibition of Artists in Michigan Prisons takes place in March, with opportunities to assist in collection trips, curation, sales, and programming. PCAP also supports additional smaller art exhibitions throughout the year. 
  • The Linkage Community welcomes those who are formerly incarcerated, offering arts programming, professional development, and a social support network. 
  • The Michigan Review of Prisoner Creative Writing is published annually featuring the work of incarcerated writers.

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