Dr. Ashley Hamilton

Dr. Ashley Lauren Hamilton is an artist, educator, and organizational leader whose work explores how art can transform individuals, communities, and systems. She is the Executive Director of the Can Art Change the World? Foundation, founded by French artist JR, and Director of JR’s Global Prison Art Program, leading artistic and educational initiatives across prison systems in the United States, France, and Brazil. Over more than fifteen years, Ashley has worked in more than 50 prisons worldwide, alongside thousands of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. She previously led the University of Denver Prison Arts Initiative for seven years, producing and leading several unprecedented and historic prison art projects. Ashley has taught at New York University, John Jay College of Criminal Justice’s Institute for Justice and Opportunity, and several other settings. Her work has been featured in more than 200 media outlets, including The New York Times, NPR, and NBC News. Ashley holds a PhD and Master’s degree from New York University and a BFA from the University of Colorado at Boulder.