Collaborating Artists
Our collaborating teaching artists are tradition-bearers who sustain practices that reflect their community’s shared values, life experiences, and collective wisdom. We believe in following the lead of these traditional artists, who have historically been critical actors in fighting against inequities. By partnering with these talented artists and their communities, we listen and learn from their valuable perspectives on assets, needs, and aspirations to craft responsive programs and services.
“Since 2014, I’ve given Storytelling Workshops to hundreds of incarcerated students and have seen many of them get out and do GREAT! Repeatedly they give kudos to ACTA for opening their minds and hearts and helping them to reconnect with family and friends and to turn their lives around.”
Michael McCarty, Arts in Corrections teaching artist
Michael D. McCarty is a professional storyteller renowned for his work in sharing African and African American history, as well as tales from cultures around the world. His journey into storytelling began in 1992 in Los Angeles, and he quickly became a sought-after storyteller, performing and teaching throughout Southern California.
In 2014, McCarty's storytelling took on a new dimension when he was introduced to ACTA's Arts in Corrections program. Intrigued by the potential of storytelling in prison settings, McCarty began teaching his Story Creation Workshop in prisons across California. Over the past eight years, he has worked in 12 different prisons, helping incarcerated people find, develop, and tell their own stories—a crucial skill for navigating parole, job searches, and reconnecting with loved ones. His work in the Arts in Corrections program underscores his belief in the transformative power of storytelling, both as a means of personal healing and as a tool for social change.
“When we walked into Level 4 at Corcoran Prison for the first time, the sights, smells, and sounds were intense and shocking. I was nervous as an immigrant, going into a space where language can be subtle, and the risks of a misunderstanding are huge. Traditional practices come with a history – the people who practice culture in its origin, how they live, what they eat, the work they do – by putting it all on the table, and sharing my culture, the students come to understand me and their own culture more.”
Cesar Castro, Arts in Corrections teaching artist
Cesar Castro is a master musician and educator deeply rooted in the tradition of Son Jarocho, a musical heritage that originates from the rural communities of Veracruz, Mexico. Beginning his training at 13, Cesar studied under master musicians like Andres Alfonso Vergara and Gilberto Gutierrez of Grupo Mono Blanco, with whom he performed for over ten years.
Now based in Los Angeles, where he has lived for the past 16 years, Cesar continues to share the rich cultural legacy of Son Jarocho through performances and education. He teaches in various settings, from cultural centers and schools to state prisons, through ACTA’s Arts in Corrections program. Beyond performing, Cesar is an accomplished laudero (luthier), crafting the instruments central to Son Jarocho like the jarana. By bringing the spirit of Son Jarocho to Chicano communities in Los Angeles and beyond, Cesar bridges cultures and helps preserve and expand the reach of this vibrant tradition.
Collaborating Artists
The table below contains tabs highlighting all our Collaborating Artists, including Teaching Artists in ACTA’s Arts in Corrections, CARES, Reentry through the Arts programs, as well as Artist Fellows with our Building Healthy Communities and La Cultura Cura programs. Click on each highlighted field to expand the entry. Use the Filter option to set conditions and narrow down the data by year, artist name, location, and more. You can also use the Sort feature to organize the information based on your preferences.