Starting a non-profit is a challenging and confusing process that also, sometimes, includes joyful shenanigans. In this episode, we get a behind-the-scenes look at how Aimee and Kamisha approached building The Returning Artists Guild. We learn how they met and formed a relationship with Melissa and we hear from a variety of philanthropic funders about why the arts are important to ending mass incarceration. Kamisha and Aimee speak candidly about their vision for the future and what it will take to get there.  

Additional Resources:

Kamisha Thomas’s Portfolio: https://thomaskamisha.myportfolio.com/ (portfolio)

https://www.instagram.com/kdenee_614/ (Instagram)

Aimee Wissman’s work: https://aimeewissman.myportfolio.com/work (portfolio) https://www.instagram.com/aimeeinks/ (Instagram)

Ohio Prison Arts Connection: https://wexarts.org/education/ohio-prison-arts-connection-online 

The Wexner Center for the Arts: https://wexarts.org/ 

California Lawyers for the Arts: https://www.calawyersforthearts.org/ 

Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration (MOMA exhibit): https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5208 

Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration (Book by Dr. Nicole Fleetwood): https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674919228 

Art for Justice: https://artforjusticefund.org/

Agnes Gund Sells a Lichtenstein to Start Criminal Justice Fund (New York Times): https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/11/arts/design/agnes-gund-sells-a-lichtenstein-to-start-criminal-justice-fund.html 

Imagining Freedom (The Mellon Foundation): https://www.mellon.org/article/imagining-freedom-initiative 

Fitton Center for Creative Arts: https://www.fittoncenter.org/ 

Cummings Center for the History of Psychology: https://www.uakron.edu/chp/ 

Julie B. Ehrlich–Director of Presidential Initiatives and Chief of Staff (Mellon Foundation): https://www.mellon.org/people/julie-b-ehrlich 

Rick Kellar–President and CEO (Peg’s Foundation): https://pegsfoundation.org/leadership/#rick-kellar-mba-president-and-ceo 

Aliyah Salim – Program Officer (Galaxy Gives): https://www.galaxygives.com/team/aliyah-paulsingh 

Call Declined is hosted by Melissa Beck and presented by the Sozosei Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Otsuka. The Foundation’s goal is to increase access to mental healthcare in order to eliminate the inappropriate use of jails and prisons for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the United States. Learn more at www.SozoseiFoundation.org. 

The Sozosei Foundation extends special thanks to Aimee Wissman and Kamisha Thomas, visionary artists and co-founders of The Returning Artists Guild whose creativity, resilience, and lived experience inspire us to build a world where mental illness is not a crime. To learn more about the Guild visit www.thereturningartistsguild.org.

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Please note that this podcast contains mature content, including explicit language and discussions about drug use and other potentially sensitive topics. The views expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the opinions of the Sozosei Foundation, podcast host or sponsors. Listener discretion is advised. This content is intended for mature audiences and is not suitable for all listeners.