Launched in 2016 at the Philadelphia program, Kintock’s Art Appreciation Program (KAAP) has been a huge hit among the residents who have participated in the voluntary program.

“The KAAP promotes ideology that the arts have the power to affect change in the lives of individuals in our facility and thereby can effect change in society,” explained Corey Davis, Site Director.  “

The KAAP was established in 2016 by facility staff as an exploration of visual art forms and their cultural connections, with special emphasis on fine art.  This program includes a brief study of art history, and in depth studies of the elementary aspects of color, application and theory, for the student with little experience in the visual arts. Basic coloring, drawing skills and painting workshops are facilitated by Kintock staff, incorporating various techniques and principles that would normally be taught in a (middle and high school) fine arts class.

Approximately 40 residents have participated in the program to date. Classes are held once per week.

“The residents truly enjoy the classes and seem to get a lot out of the classes,” said Mr. Davis.

“The KAAP represents an alternative to the standard programming that residents typically receive and there has been a lot of interest from both male and female Parole Violator programs and the Bucks County program as well,” noted Mr. Davis.

Art Appreciation Promotes Positive Change

“Studies have shown that Arts in confined settings have provided life changing experiences when using art as a medium, in prisons and detention centers throughout the country, participants in those programs are better equipped to be successful when they reenter our communities,” according to Mr. Davis.

“Participating in an arts program in a group setting fosters personal characteristics, which can reduce risk in the areas of leisure/recreation and attitude, two of the eight risk/need areas for reentering offenders.  Having positive, safe activities to pass the time supports positive habits and behaviors.  Art in confined settings has been shown to increase self-awareness, improve the ability to work collaboratively, increase ability to practice empathy and increase cognitive thinking,” he added.

Studies have also shown that offenders who participated in arts programs were more likely to participate in academic and vocation programs and less likely to engage in behaviors resulting in disciplinary reports.

Participating in the KAAP and having the opportunity to create also serves to reestablish an identity above that of the offender status.

The art topics covered are presented through slide shows, lectures and corresponding readings from several books, including Mark Getlein’s Living with Art, 10th Edition, The Fantasy Art Bible, by Jane Mosley and Jackie Strachan and Anatomy for the Artist by Sarah Simblet.

Residents are encouraged to attend and participate in the arts program. Among the studio projects that residents have completed are murals and paintings.  All art supplies are provided by the Kintock Group.