Arts-Based Courses

Through various courses and workshops encompassing all artistic modalities, we build educational and therapeutic environments that serve as spaces for expression, healing, collaboration, community-building, and innovative thinking.

In-Person Arts-Based Courses

We offer a variety of exciting and challenging 15-week in-person courses twice per year (fall & spring) in a variety of facilities. Courses are facilitated by DU PAI faculty and staff and include content ranging from dance & movement to songwriting, to theatre-making and set building, and beyond! All students who enroll in and complete our in-person, arts-based courses are eligible for two (2) Continuing Education Units per course through the College of Professional Studies at the University of Denver.

Correspondence Courses

We are also able to offer educational, arts-based, and often therapeutic programming to students who aren’t able to participate in in-person programming due to their higher custody levels. These 12-week courses are offered twice per year (winter & summer.) Depending on the course, students receive educational content via course packets, provided books, and/or podcast-style and video lectures. Students complete readings and assignments and are responded to by our faculty and staff on the outside, cultivating ongoing supportive educational relationships and community between the inside and outside.

"It was in these [workshop] moments [that] I didn't feel like I was in prison and more somewhere I belong." – DU PAI Incarcerated Participant

"I feel as if I have a renewed sense of purpose when it comes to my personal and professional interactions with other human beings." – DU PAI Incarcerated Participant

Intro to art making practices class
Intro to song writing class
background image of prison arts participants

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