October 21, 2025

Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) has been on a powerful journey — one filled with momentum and purpose to deepen our impact in meaningful ways. It’s a story of growth, new beginnings, and staying true to our mission every step of the way. We’re proud to share it all in our 2024–2025 Annual Report. Explore the […]

October 15, 2025

Feature Image: Reimagining Myself® workbook cover created by artist Sarah Corley. This fall, RTA is proud to launch Reimagining Myself® at two New York State women’s correctional facilities—Albion and Taconic—marking a powerful step forward to ensure women have access to the same transformative opportunities that have already made a profound difference for men. Listening First: […]

September 24, 2025

Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) joins the arts and justice community in mourning the passing of Agnes Gund (1938-2025)—visionary philanthropist, art patron, and founder of the Art for Justice Fund. Her loss is deeply felt, but her legacy continues to inspire movements that transform lives through creativity and compassion. A Visionary Force for Change Agnes […]

September 22, 2025

Katherine Vockins, RTA’s Founder, has officially retired but her extraordinary leadership and vision will continue to make an indelible mark on countless individuals and communities. It was Katherine’s vision and leadership that launched RTA at Sing Sing Correctional Facility 29 years ago when few civilians were venturing inside a maximum-security prison, never mind creating a […]

August 27, 2025

At Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), we believe in the power of creativity to transform lives and open doors to new possibilities. Few philanthropists embodied that conviction more deeply than Dr. Leonard Tow (May 30, 1928 – August 10, 2025). His life’s work—and the family foundation he built with his wife Claire—has left a legacy of creativity, justice, […]

August 13, 2025

On Friday, November 7, 2025, the curtain will rise at the historic Irvington Theater, for a night unlike any other—the RTA Alumni Showcase Gala. Nearly 30 years ago, RTA began as a small but determined program inside a New York State correctional facility. Today, it has grown into a powerful movement, using the arts to […]

July 31, 2025

People are tuning in to hear the voices of RTA alumni—and the message is loud and clear: creativity can change lives. This summer, three powerful alumni—Dario Peña, John “Divine G” Whitfield, and Sean “Dino” Johnson—have taken to the airwaves, appearing on a series of podcasts to reflect on their journeys from incarceration to impact. While […]

July 30, 2025

RTA was recently awarded grants from The Tow Foundation and ArtsWestchester, and we are thrilled to share the news. The Tow Foundation has committed to three years of General Operating Support, providing crucial stability and flexibility as we deepen our impact. This multi‑year investment allows us to plan boldly—expanding our programming reach in correctional facilities, […]

July 29, 2025

On July 29, 2015, inside the gymnasium of Woodbourne Correctional Facility, a group of RTA participants stepped onto a makeshift stage and danced with precision, emotion, and purpose. The piece was called Finally Free—a modern dance performance that brought together months of hard work, creative risk-taking, and collaboration. Directed and choreographed by Susan Slotnick and […]

July 24, 2025

At Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), we believe in the power of the arts to unlock human potential, transform lives, and rebuild communities. But transformation begins with recognition—and recognition begins with language. Too often, people who are or have been incarcerated are referred to by dehumanizing labels: “inmate,” “felon,” “offender.” These terms reduce individuals to […]