Cultural
Connections
Madison
What We Do
Our Mission and Goals
Engage
We aim to end the cycle of familial incarceration by connecting kids with a locked up loved one to opportunities in Madison's larger cultural arts and academic communities through partnerships with culturally responsive artists and educators committed to nurturing in our youth a heightened sense of belonging.
Inspire
We introduce opportunities that access the kind of creative and critical thinking that
inspires positive perceptions of how our youth fit into the world. That can translate into a heightened sense of self, better school outcomes and success and power within their larger community.
Affirm
To amplify the creativity and voices of
youth affected by incarceration to empower them, affirm their place in the world outside stigma and self-doubt, and to help them grow a commitment to social challenge.
Change
Through long-term exposure to innovative and social change-driven people, ideas and projects within institutions that grow opportunity, our kids have a better chance at taking ownership of the same education and opportunities too often reserved for those without the same social barriers.
Funders
We are grateful to our community funders who keep this program accessible to the many children living with the trauma of having a loved one incarcerated:
Epic
Dane Arts
Dane Co Office of Equity and Inclusion
Dane County
Wisconsin Arts Board
Madison Arts Commission
United Way
Capital Times Kids Fund
First Congregational Church, Seeds of Hope Fund
Madison Community Foundation & American Girl Fund
Many individuals and neighborhood community members
Partners
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JustDane
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UW School of Journalism
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Sandbury Elementary School
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UW Odyssey Project
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Madison Youth Arts Center (MyArts)
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Dane Arts Mural Arts (DAMA)
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Emerson Elementary School
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Goodman Community Center
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UW Center for Family and Child Well-Being
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First Congregational Church