ArtForce, a six-week program offered to residents at CoreCivic’s Trousdale Turner Correctional Center in Hartsville, Tennessee, recently celebrated its first graduating class. Designed specifically for correctional environments, ArtForce combines creative expression, personal development, workforce readiness and entrepreneurial skills through a structured, art-based curriculum.

At the start of the course, each participant receives a multimedia art kit and ArtForce instructional materials. Participants begin by exploring purpose, creativity and emotional expression before advancing to art techniques, storytelling and goal setting. The course concludes with instruction on the business of art. Participants who successfully complete the program receive an ArtForce Artist Certification.

ArtForce uses a peer-led sustainability model in which selected participants can complete additional training to become certified ArtForce facilitators. Once certified, they can lead future ArtForce cohorts within the facility.

At Trousdale Turner, 13 participants graduated from the program, including one who became a peer leader.

Through ArtForce, participants can combine emotional expression with skill development, workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, certification and peer leadership. Congratulations, graduates!