Arts in Corrections NYS

Arts in Corrections NYS facilitates and supports arts programming inside Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYS DOCCS) facilities across New York State. A regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), Arts in Corrections is facilitated by Wave Farm, a nonprofit New York State arts organization, working closely with DOCCS. To explore the Arts in Corrections NYS online archive, click here!

In 2023 and 2024, Arts in Corrections supported arts programming inside approximately 10 NYS facilities across New York State. In 2025, with the support of NYSCA and DOCCS, Arts in Corrections will expand to 15 facilities across New York State. Teaching artists facilitate in-person workshops, providing system-impacted individuals with once-a-week programming in a variety of disciplines including the visual arts, electronic media/film, music, and literature.

In January and February of 2025, Arts in Corrections accepted applications for new workshops in five DOCCS facilities: Albion, Cayuga, Eastern, Mid-State, and Wyoming. New in 2025, both NYS non-profit arts organizations and individual artists are eligible as Arts in Corrections grantees. Non-profit organizations will work with a teaching artist to design and propose the curriculum of the workshop. Organizations will be required to designate an individual from their organization who will serve as the primary contact between Wave Farm, NYS DOCCS, and their teaching artist(s). Individual artist grantees will be responsible as the primary contact between NYS DOCCS and Wave Farm over the course of your program.

In 2025, teaching artists will facilitate a 20-week workshop with the possibility of a renewal for a second workshop. Grants will be awarded for $12,000 per 20-week workshop.

• Eligible Applicants: Individual Artists and NYS Non-Profit Arts Organizations
• Grant Amount: $12,000 for each 20-week workshop series
• Eligible Expenses: workshop supplies, transportation, and per diem artist fee
• For Organizations, an administrative fee per workshop is restricted to a maximum of $1,000
• Successful grantees have the opportunity to renew for a second workshop series to begin in 2025
• When and where openings for new programs occur, applicants with pending proposals will be contacted and given the opportunity to update their proposals prior to review

All workshop spaces are currently filled

If you are interested in Arts in Corrections NYS and would like to be informed when a workshop space opens in your region, please contact Wave Farm at info@wavefarm.org.

Current Workshops

Art of the Cassette Tape: History & Practice with Ben Kudler (Otisville Correctional Facility) — In this workshop, participants will learn about the artistic capabilities of the cassette tape, and develop skills in audio production and editing. Participants will learn about the rich history and technology of the cassette. Oftentimes perceived as obsolete, cassette tapes offer artistic possibilities that more recent digital media do not. Using pre-approved audio (including nature sounds, sound effects, and spoken word) participants will collage sound to craft their own audio artworks and audio journals.

Personal Storytelling: What’s Your Story? with Caitlin Langstaff and Christina Thyssen (Green Haven Correctional Facility) — In this workshop, participants will discover the craft of writing and sharing a compelling story. Storytelling will be celebrated and practiced as a way to build community and help make sense of the world we live in. Participants will learn public speaking techniques, acquire skills to craft compelling narratives, and perform stories with ease and authenticity.

Body Stories with Sondra Loring (Greene Correctional Facility) In this workshop, Participants will explore a range of movement based practices that include performance, dance, and choreographic disciplines. Participants will gain an understanding of improvisational performance techniques, somatic study, and basic experiential anatomy.

One Mic Project with Chris Cresswell (Mohawk Correctional Facility) — In this workshop, participants will learn and practice the basics of songwriting and music production, gaining the foundation to create their own lyrics and music. Introductions to songwriting and musical composition will provide participants with the skills to experiment with both group and individual creative musical production.

Multimedia Visual Storytelling with Eliza Doyle and Catherine Fordham (Shawangunk Correctional Facility) — This sculpture workshop will introduce participants to the fundamentals of constructing 2- dimensional and 3-dimensional works of art using unconventional resources and mediums. Participants will work with an assortment of materials using unique techniques, traditions, and methods. Participants will produce creative artworks, build an artistic portfolio, develop their personal artistic practice, and learn new creative strategies and concepts.

Framing Freedom with Ya’qub Shabazz (Groveland Correctional Facility) — Framing Freedom will introduce participants to elements of art history, color theory, painting and drawing techniques, interpreting fine art, and mindfulness. Participants will learn how to create visual art and discuss their work with their peers. The workshop will introduce materials including watercolors, pastels, and acrylic paint for themed weekly sessions.

Art and Autobiography with Nicholas Weist (Sullivan Correctional Facility) — In this course, participants will learn creative communication skills including drawing, painting, printmaking, personal writing, and bookmaking. During class time and in short homework assignments, participants will use these skills to tell their own stories in narrative, figurative, and abstract ways. The workshop will conclude with a final project by each participant that demonstrates his new skills and tells his own story in a unique way.

Healing Drums with Cathy Bonville (Bare Hill Correctional Facility) — In this workshop, participants will learn how to drum within a group. By connecting to the beat within, participants reduce anxiety, find mental clarity, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.Participants will: learn how to perform in an ensemble cooperatively; learn various techniques for frame and world drums; discuss the law of entrainment; create complementary rhythms to enhance an ensemble; and create a personal guided drum meditation.

Exploring the Abstract Through Printmaking with Tina Lamour (Franklin Correctional Facility) — This 12-week Abstract Printmaking workshop offers individuals a transformative journey through the exploration of abstract art. Participants will delve into the world of printmaking, discovering the expressive potential of gelli plates, water-based inks, and mixed media techniques. Guided by the instructor, students will cultivate their creative voice, experiment with color and composition, and develop technical skills in a supportive and empowering environment.

Participating Facilities 2025

This map identifies currently participating NYS DOCCS Facilities: Albion Correctional Facility (Albion, NY); Bare Hill Correctional Facility (Malone, NY); Cayuga Correctional Facility (Moravia, NY); Coxsackie Correctional Facility (Coxsackie, NY); Eastern Correctional Facility (Napanoch, NY); Franklin Correctional Facility (Malone, NY); Mohawk Correctional Facility (Rome, NY); Greene Correctional Facility (Coxsackie, NY); Green Haven Correctional Facility (Stormville, NY); Groveland Correctional Facility (Sonyea, NY); Mid-State Correctional Facility (Marcy, NY); Otisville Correctional Facility (Ottisville, NY); Shawangunk Correctional Facility (Wallkill, NY); Wyoming Correctional Facility (Attica, NY). From 2023-2024, programs were offered at Sullivan Correctional Facility (Fallsburg, NY). In 2023, programs were offered at Ulster Correctional Facility (Napanoch, NY).

Arts in Corrections NYS is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.