Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA)

Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1996 by Katherine Vockins at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York. RTA operates arts programs in ten maximum and medium security prisons, serving over 230 incarcerated men and women. The organization focuses on helping individuals develop critical life skills through artistic engagement, promoting values such as respect, compassion, and responsibility. RTA offers a year-round arts curriculum led by professional teaching artists, tailored to the unique environments of each prison. The programs include theater, visual arts, music, dance, creative writing, and poetry. Participants engage in activities ranging from full-scale theater productions to visual art exhibitions, allowing them to express personal stories and foster communication and collaboration skills. RTA's work aims to reduce recidivism and support successful reintegration into society, while also raising awareness about the humanity of incarcerated individuals.