Giving a visual voice to
incarcerated artists
through engaging, community-centered exhibitions of their art.
Ritual4Return
For years, we have had the privilege of working alongside artists while they are incarcerated. Now, as more of the artists we know and support return home, we are deepening our commitment to the journey that continues beyond the prison walls.
We are excited to share that Art from the Inside is now a National Affiliate of Ritual4Return (R4R) and has launched Ritual4Return: Twin Cities, our inaugural cohort.
Ritual4Return is a process through which groups of returning neighbors create and perform a homecoming rite of passage to mark the transition from incarceration to freedom, regardless of how long they’ve been home. It is a demanding journey that invites participants to engage intellectually, physically, emotionally, and spiritually with their experiences of incarceration. The process offers an opportunity, in the presence and with the support of community, to acknowledge the impact of incarceration, work through those experiences, and move toward a new chapter.
This work is funded in part by Minnesota Humanities Center with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.
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About
Art from the Inside gives incarcerated artists the opportunity to express themselves through art—giving them a visual voice. We will be exhibiting their art with the hope to inspire dialogue about the complexities of our criminal justice system.
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In the News
Art from the Inside Named 2026 MN Cup Semifinalist, Bringing the Vision for Phoenix Rising Artist Lofts to a Wider Audience
This summer, Art from the Inside (AFTI) stepped into a new arena - not a gallery, prison classroom, or community arts space, but the 2026 Minnesota Cup. AFTI was selected as a semifinalist in the 2026 MN Cup, Minnesota’s premier statewide startup competition, giving the organization an opportunity to share its work and an ambitious new vision with a much broader audience of entrepreneurs, investors, community leaders, and changemakers.For AFTI, the experience was about more than competing. It was about imagining what could happen when the power of art is paired with housing, economic opportunity, entrepreneurship, and community.
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Artists
Featuring original work by artists on the inside and outside. Read about their stories, inspiration, and view their work.
“Art plays a ‘bigger than life’ role in my life. It continues to inspire me, as well as gives me a space to feel free and express who I am. In a place so dark, it gives me light.”
Noella May, AFTI artist
OUR PARTNERS:
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the wonderful supporters who have featured and contributed to Art from the Inside. We welcome you to join us in our journey towards making a positive impact on our community. If you are interested in collaborating with AFTI, please contact us to learn more about how you can get involved.
Minnesota State Arts Board
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
