Our Work
Creating Opportunities for Incarcerated People
The University of Denver's Prison Arts Initiative partners with facilities across Colorado to imagine, develop and implement ways for incarcerated people to express themselves and transform their communities. From arts workshops and family events, to educational courses, media outlets and public performances, these collaborations are shifting whose perspectives are included in conversations about incarceration. As DU PAI continues to expand, we're working hard to rotate program offerings and reach participants in even more facilities.
Get Involved
Arts-Based Courses
We provide therapeutic arts-based programming that builds collaborative communities and empowers individuals’ creative voices. Our workshops include creative writing, ensemble theatre, arts and spirituality, and more.
Explore WorkshopsChained Voices Fine Arts Show
"Chained Voices" is an advocacy and empowerment art show based in Denver. The show is a collaborative effort created on behalf of incarcerated artists in Colorado. The "Chained Voices" committee is comprised of community members, the DU Prison Arts Initiative, forensic social workers, public and private defense attorneys, community organizers and family members of incarcerated people.
Learn MoreInside Wire: Colorado Prison Radio
Created by incarcerated media producers for incarcerated listeners, Inside Wire amplifies the voices of those living and working in prisons across Colorado. We invite listeners outside facilities to shift their understanding of prison in the U.S. by tuning in.
ListenLuxLit Press
"LuxLit Press" highlights the writing of artists who are incarcerated by publishing their work and making it available to the community. We seek to spark new understandings for people inside and out.
View PublicationsTheatre Productions
With a cast and crew composed of incarcerated people, all design and technical elements of DU PAI performances are created inside. Through collaboration between DU PAI and the Department of Corrections, participants bring their performances to public and incarcerated audiences.
See a Show"With(in)" Podcast
DU PAI's podcast brings together voices from Sterling Correctional Facility, Denver Women's Correctional Facility, and the Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center in order to shift the conversation about prison through meaningful dialogues.
Listen-
Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility
12750 CO-96
Ordway, CO 81034The Right to Speak: Finding Your True Voice
This 12-week course is taught by Luciann Lajoie. -
Buena Vista Correctional Facility
15125 Highway 24 & 285
Buena Vista, CO 81211Introduction to Art Making
This 12-week workshop is taught by Molly Ott. -
Centennial Correctional Facility
PO BOX 600
Canon City, CO. 81215-0600Introduction to Art Making
This 12-week workshop is taught by Molly Ott. -
Colorado State Penitentiary
50 Evans Road
Cañon City, CO 81212Introduction to Theatre Practices
This 12-week course cultivates curiosity through games, improvisation and movement exercises that are honest, fun, thoughtful and invigorating. -
Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility
1275 W. US Highway 50
Cañon City, CO 81212Introduction to Theatre Practices
This 12-week workshop is taught by Clare Hammoor. -
Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center
10900 Smith Road
Denver, CO 80239Introduction to Improvisation
"Introduction to Improvisation" is taught by Kerstin Caldwell and is a 12-week course. -
Denver Women's Correctional Facility
3600 Havana Street
Denver, CO 80239Inside Wire: Colorado Prison Radio
A studio location for DU PAI's statewide radio station, Inside Wire: Colorado Prison Radio. -
Four Mile Correctional Facility
E. US Highway 50 & Evans Road
Cañon City, CO 81212Foundations of Performance and Public Speaking
A 12-week course taught by Jessie Datino. -
Fremont Correctional Facility
E. US Highway 50 & Evans Road
Cañon City, CO 81215The Inside Report; Introduction to Art Making
"The Inside Report" is our Colorado Department of Corrections statewide newspaper. The 12-week, "Introduction to Art Making" course is taught be Molly Ott. -
La Vista Correctional Facility
1401 W. 17th Street
Pueblo, CO 81003Universe Within
Universe Within is a devised theatre and playwriting project based on our Arts in Society grant, "Sojourn: The Search." -
Limon Correctional Facility
49030 State Hwy 71 South
Limon, CO 80826Inside Wire: Colorado Prison Radio; Production of Antigone; Moving Meditations: Introduction to Dance and Choreography
Limon is the hub studio for DU PAI's statewide radio station, Inside Wire. Limon's production of the classic tragedy, "Antigone," includes an in-house band. The 12-week course, “Moving Meditations: Intro to Dance and Choreography” begins late-April. -
Sterling Correctional Facility
12101 Hwy 61
Sterling, CO 80751If Light Closed Its Eyes; With(in); Reverberations; Inside Wire: Colorado Prison Radio
Incarcerated students are the driving force behind our interview-based theatre play, If Light Closed Its Eyes; our podcast, With(in); and the literary magazine, Reverberations. Sterling is also host to one of DU PAI's Inside Wire studios.