Action Youth Media Incorporated

Both after school and during summer, students attend weekly classes in an eight-week progression with lesson plans each week, resulting in more evolved short documentary films taught by active and experienced film professionals on weekdays and Saturdays. Students learn the basics of filmmaking equipment, skills, and production. Film topics include climate change, the importance of green spaces, well-being at school, and topics that might be difficult to address in school. Students earn Student Service Learning hours. Summer 5-week paid apprenticeship program where participants were paid $15/hour.

Action Youth Media presents film, photography, drawing, and painting activities to attract and engage students, parents, and guardians in our studio on school holidays. We also produce the Season Showcase in November and the Montgomery County Youth Film Festival in April to promote media arts careers and highlight local youth filmmakers from schools across the area.

As part of our program evaluation, we survey students to measure progress in digital skills, feeling heard and safe in our space and classes, confidence, leadership skills, and knowledge of art and media careers. In a recent survey, 100% of respondents reported a positive overall experience, citing notable increases in confidence, attention to detail, and knowledge of career options in design and media. We received a grant to conduct an external program evaluation and provide an overhaul of our internal evaluation toolbox.