The Emanuel Project started in January 2011 as a motivational arts program with a compelling mural project and art curriculum, art therapy and research initiatives that help incarcerated youth improve academically and behaviorally. The project provides youth in detention a unique hands-on opportunity to work with the nationally renowned painter, sculptor and muralist Emanuel Martinez in painting large scale murals with powerful messages about the importance of education. Since the Emanuel Project began, nineteen murals have been completed in 13 juvenile detention centers in Georgia, Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky, Colorado and Texas.

The Emanuel Project is named after Emanuel Martinez who was incarcerated at the age of 13. Today, he is a nationally renowned artist, sculptor and muralist whose work is on permanent exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. His life story inspired the start of the Emanuel Project which is now implemented in dozens of juvenile detention facilities throughout the nation.

Through a powerful mural process, Emanuel helps students cope with the negative stigma associated with incarcerated youth. He designs colorful, large scale murals with positive messages about education, goals and career choices and helps youth realize, through education, they can achieve their dreams and turn their lives around.