Established by the State of California in 1976, the California Arts Council is a state agency with a mission of strengthening arts, culture, and creative expression as the tools to cultivate a better California for all.
The Arts in Corrections program, overseen by the California Arts Council and in collaboration with the CDCR, focuses on harnessing the transformative power of the arts to positively impact the social and emotional well-being of people experiencing incarceration. It employs a broad spectrum of artistic disciplines to foster critical thinking, build positive relationships, and promote healing and meaningful interactions. The program tasks Coordinating Organizations with the development and execution of these arts programs inside CDCR facilities, requiring coordination with CDCR staff, participant identification, and space allocation for activities.