EMPOWERMENT AVENUE
Using art, writing & journalism
Using
art,
writing
& journalism
-pre-entry-
to empower
people
in prisons
-pre-entry- to empower people in prison
Op-Ed: In prison, the work of journalism is challenging but
essential
My Pen Uncovers the Real Me
HOW PRISON WRITERS
STRUGGLE TO BE HEARD
X
CHECK OUT OUR UPCOMING EVENTS
GO

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to normalize the inclusion of incarcerated writers and artists in mainstream venues by bridging the gap between them and harnessing this creative proximity as a path to de-carceration and public safety.

To achieve our mission we have a twofold strategy. We support the most talented writers and artists in prisons across the country, providing them the resources they need to get their creative work outside prison walls, be fairly compensated, and contribute their creativity to the movements of abolition, de-carceration, and liberation of incarcerated people.

Secondly, we support capacity building for publications, galleries, museums and other organizations committed to this work, to help them meaningfully center currently-incarcerated people in creative spaces while fairly compensating them.

Artwork Detail: 2042, Lamavis Comundoiwilla, 2020

OUR GOALS

01
Get the voices of incarcerated people past the choir and into mainstream venues to build more public support for ending the Prison Industrial Complex.
02
Help incarcerated people access paid opportunities in the creative economy, build creative and professional relationships, gain relevant knowledge and skills, and collaborate with communities beyond bars.
03
Support outside institutions and individuals in hiring incarcerated individuals to do creative work, especially in fields and projects related to mass incarceration.
04
Support work (like investigative journalism or socially-justice centered art) in order to hold systems accountable.
05
Prepare writers and artists “pre-entry” by supporting their professional goals while still incarcerated.
06
Provide grants for incarcerated creatives to curate events and spearhead initiatives and programming inside their prisons.
07
Break cycles of poverty and intergenerational incarceration.
Current Events
Alvin Smith presents:
    The
UNDERPRIVILEGED
OASIS
DATES: January 18th — February 18th, 2024
LOCATION: MUSE SE, 501 Eastern Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan

GALLERY HOURS hosted by Empowerment Avenue:
Friday, January 19th, 12pm — 8pm
Saturday, January 20th, 10am — 5pm  

Other showings by appointment, email info@musegr.com

Visit Alvin's virtual exhibition, here.

To stay up to date with our latest projects and see the incredible work we support from writers and artists inside prisons:

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