It is essential to civilization. Art is integral to life. People from different backgrounds and experiences can be touched and brought together by art. This is really important to me, as a First Nations person, because of the long tradition of storytelling. The day after, I saw your first public show, and I don't know what happened but your show completely changed my life.
Numerous studies show the positive effect of arts work with offenders.
About 30 percent of male prisoners and 40 percent of female prisoners attend arts classes. Violent incidents in jails which have arts programs are 60 to 90 percent lower than in those without such programs.