BORN WITHIN THE
UNIVERSITY OF
MICHIGAN’S PRISON
CREATIVE ARTS
PROJECT (PCAP), THE
LINKAGE COMMUNITY
HAS GROWN INTO A
VIBRANT, STATEWIDE
COLLECTIVE OF
ARTISTS WITH LIVED
EXPERIENCE OF
INCARCERATION.

In the early 2000s, the Linkage Project began as a
mentorship initiative for artists after incarceration.
Since 2022, it has evolved into the Linkage Community
—a statewide, member-led network grounded in care,
creativity, and collective vision.

Linkage fosters belonging, reduces isolation, and
expands access to the arts and opportunities.
Co-created programming supports social/emotional
wellness, creative growth, and economic mobility.
Linkage members share vetted resources for the
holistic support of each member’s journey.

In 2025, Linkage officially became an independent
organization, maintaining close partnerships with

PCAP and the University of Michigan. Today, the

community is recognized as the leading peer-network

for creatives who experienced incarceration, supporting

reentry and beyond.