What if art could open the door to a new life after prison? What if creative work wasn't just healing, but a literal job offer?

In a time when reentry programs are scarce and trust is hard to rebuild, this episode, the second of our two part series on the work of California Lawyers for the Arts, introduces Designing Creative Futures, a groundbreaking initiative that uses the power of the arts to help formerly incarcerated individuals reclaim their future. With stories from inside and outside the system, we explore how mentorship, hands on creativity and belief in potential can lead to lasting change.

In it, we'll hear how a coalition led by California Lawyers for the arts helped over 200 individuals find not just reentry internships, but purpose.

We'll learn how mentorship and woodworking in prison and Designing Creative Futures on the outside helped one man, Frank Quiros, discover his calling and build a new life.

And we'll discover how storytelling, craft and persistence are reshaping re entry with dignity, creativity and impact

Notable Mentions

People

• Bill Cleveland – Host of Art Is Change, community arts practitioner, and long-time leader in arts and social change .
• Alma Robinson – Longtime Executive Director of California Lawyers for the Arts; spearheaded the Designing Creative Futures reentry initiative .
• Frank Quiroz – Formerly incarcerated artist who rebuilt his life through woodworking, pottery, and arts internships via Designing Creative Futures .
• Governor Gavin Newsom – California governor who announced early releases during COVID to mitigate prison overcrowding .
• Ms. Larkey – Daughter of musician Carole King, connected with the People’s Pottery Project .
• Carole King – Iconic singer-songwriter; her daughter was involved in supporting the People’s Pottery Project .
• Jack Reedy – Woodworking mentor and teacher at Taft Correctional Facility who profoundly influenced Frank’s artistic and personal growth .
• Sergeant Rodriguez – Prison staff member who supported incarcerated woodworkers in shipping their creations home .
• Frank Hernández (Gro) – Artist associated with Self Help Graphics, part of its influential legacy .
• Patssi Valdez – Chicana artist and founding member of the Asco collective, connected to Self Help Graphics .
• Marvea – Director at Self Help Graphics who helped connect Frank to work at LACMA .

Events

• COVID-19 Early Releases in California (2020) – Governor Newsom’s plan to release up to 8,000 incarcerated individuals due to overcrowding and health risks .
• NEA Our Town Grant (2020) – $100,000 awarded to California Lawyers for the Arts to pilot Designing Creative Futures .
• California State Contract (2022) – $3 million contract expanding Designing Creative Futures placements to Los Angeles and the Bay Area .
• Geffen Galleries Opening at LACMA (2025) – $898 million expansion project at LACMA, featuring new sustainable exhibition design using reclaimed trees .

Organizations

• California Lawyers for the Arts (CLA) – Legal and advocacy nonprofit supporting artists; created the Designing Creative Futures reentry program .
• National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) – Federal agency supporting arts projects, provided seed funding for the reentry pilot .
• City of San Diego – Partnered in funding the pilot phase of Designing Creative Futures .
• People’s Pottery Project – Los Angeles nonprofit led by formerly incarcerated women, offering community ceramics programs .
• Self Help Graphics & Art – Historic East LA Chicano arts center, renowned for its role in Día de los Muertos celebrations and cultural activism .
• Prison Industry Authority (PIA) – California state program providing incarcerated people with job training in industries like furniture production .
• California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) – State agency overseeing prisons; indirectly connected through PIA and reentry policies .
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) – Major West Coast art museum where Frank worked in exhibition design after release .
• Walker Art Center – Contemporary art museum in Minneapolis, where Bill Cleveland previously worked .
• San Quentin State Prison – California prison with a long-standing art program, referenced for its impact .
• Angel City Lumber – LA-based company that salvages urban trees for sustainable reuse; collaborated on LACMA’s Geffen Gallery .

Publications

• Wood Magazine – Popular woodworking magazine brought into prison classrooms by mentor Jack Reedy .
• Fine Woodworking – Influential woodworking publication also shared with incarcerated students .
• Les Misérables by Victor Hugo – Classic novel frequently read by Frank during incarceration, symbolizing resilience and redemption .

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Change the Story / Change the World is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.

Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.

Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.