Brewster, L. (2010). A Qualitative Study of the California Arts-in-Corrections Program. Santa Cruz, CA: William James Association.
Author Affiliations: University of San Francisco
Artforms: Ceramics, fine crafts, guitar-making, literary arts, media arts, music, painting, performing arts, printmaking, sculpting, visual arts, writing
Program: Arts-in-Corrections (AIC)
Program Description: AIC was one of the first prisons arts program in the nation, operating from 1977-1981 under the auspices of the William James Association, and from 1981 to 2003 under the California Department of Corrections. Individual and group instruction was offered in the visual, performing, literary and media arts and fine craft disciplines in California correctional institutions. The California Department of Corrections resumed funding of the program in 2014.
Program (Study) Location: Northern California
Study Published: 2010
Participant Type: Adult male and female former inmates
Sample Size: 18 (16 male and 2 female)
Data Type: Qualitative: In-depth interviews
Evaluation Focus: Impact of AIC on lives of inmates during and after incarceration
Summary of Impact: Inmates revealed that participation in the AIC program enhanced their self-esteem, work ethic, discipline and identity as artists. All interviewees successfully completed parole, and 31% (5 of 16) self-identify as artists, earning all or part of their living through art.
KEYWORDS: adult, Arts-in-Corrections, ceramics, fine crafts, guitar-making, identity, literary arts, media arts, music, painting, performing arts, printmaking, purpose, rehabilitation, sculpting, self-esteem, visual arts, work ethic, writing
Prison Arts Resource Project 