Annual Exhibition of Artists in Michigan Prisons

The Annual Exhibition of Artists in Michigan Prisons has been running since 1996 and has grown considerably over the years to include hundreds of pieces by artists from all Michigan state prison facilities. The exhibition is organized by the PCAP staff, curators, students, community volunteers, and recently released artists. The planning begins in the late summer, when a letter goes out to all incarcerated artists who have previously participated, inviting them to submit work for the current year’s show. An announcement is also posted in each correctional facility to reach new artists. During the fall, our Arts Programming Coordinator plans a visit to each state prison in Michigan, coordinating with the Special Activities Director at each facility. The curator group coordinates their participation in the visits to be sure there are at least two curators at every facility. The visits occur between October and January. PCAP volunteers, students, and staff are also welcome to attend art selection visits; anywhere from three to ten people attend each trip.

1. A small group of curators, students, and volunteers travel to each facility.
2. Artists set out their work in a gym, classroom, or other space. The PCAP group talks with artists about their work. The artists then leave the room or move off to the side.
3. The PCAP group looks at all the work and selects pieces for the first round of curation.
4. Artists return. PCAP group members talk with each artist about why their art has been chosen to advance to the next round of curation or not.

1. PCAP takes artwork back to Ann Arbor. It is photographed, electronically catalogued, and organized.
2. Curators hold the second round of curation. Curators review each piece and decide what artworks to include in the exhibit and how to display them. Some work selected at facilities may be cut in the second pass and not included in the exhibit.
3. Artwork is prepared for installation. It is matted, sealed, or otherwise prepared depending on how it will be displayed.

The general criteria that PCAP consider when choosing art pieces are: