On August 1, Linkage Community will begin operating independently from the University of Michigan’s Prison Creative Arts Project, where the group got its start as a space for formerly incarcerated creatives to thrive during the transition from prison back to their Michigan communities. This is a major milestone, marking growth of the group beyond its origins as a part of the University’s wildly successful prison arts program.

Linkage Community has become Michigan’s leading peer-based creative network of formerly incarcerated individuals.

“This transition is a testament to the creativity, vision, and leadership of Linkage members themselves,” said Nora Kritinsky, Director of the Prison Creative Arts Project. “We’re honored to have supported their growth and excited to continue working together in new ways.”

Encore Michigan

The Linkage Community is a member-driven network of artists and creatives directly impacted by incarceration. Originally founded within the University of Michigan’s Prison Creative Arts Project, Linkage now operates as an independent initiative rooted in peer support, care, and collective leadership. Programming supports social and emotional wellness, creative development, and economic mobility.

Read the article, published June 17, at Encore Michigan.