MEDIA ARTS CENTER SAN DIEGO

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Programs
Arts in California Parks
Arts in California Parks helps to nourish, educate, and inspire individuals and communities.

Arts in Corrections
A partnership with the CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, designed to have a positive impact on the social and emotional well-being of people experiencing incarceration. www.artsincorrections.org

California Creative Corps
A media, outreach, and engagement pilot program designed to support communities statewide following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Creative Economy of California
Building a resilient future for California’s creative economy.

California Cultural Districts
Highlighting some of the thriving cultural diversity and unique artistic identities within local communities across the state. www.caculturaldistricts.org

Poetry Out Loud
Igniting student potential through the power of poetry. An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, administered statewide by the California Arts Council. www.capoetryoutloud.org

California Poet Laureate
The Governor’s advocate for the art of poetry. Visit www.capoetlaureate.org.

California Teen Poet Laureate
COMING SOON: State legislation supports the development of the state’s first Youth Poet Laureate program.

Individual Artists Fellowship
Through a network of regionally based Administering Organizations, the Individual Artists Fellowship program will continue to recognize, uplift, and celebrate the excellence of California artists practicing any art form.
About
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Grantee Database

Grant Year

2025-26

Grant Program

Arts and Youth

Award Amount

$20,000.00

Project Description

With support from the California Arts Council, MEDIA ARTS CENTER SAN DIEGO (MACSD) will serve underrepresented youth (ages 6-25) in San Diego County through the Young Producers Project (YPP), a visual storytelling and media literacy initiative.

YPP programs include the Teen Producers Project, Emerging Makers, City Heights IdeaLab, Youth Creators Media Camp, student outreach screenings, Teen Filmmaking Bootcamps, In-School and Library Workshops, and Workforce Development Initiative. During the past thirty-two years, our programs have experienced remarkable growth, paralleled by an increasing demand from our community. Funds from this grant will help MACSD improve its capacity to best serve youth who lack access to culturally resonant media stories and digital tools. Through hands-on programs, filmmaking, screenings, free field trips, and mentorship, we teach participants how to transform their communities through the power of media arts.

Organization Summary

MACSD programs, events, and film festivals are inclusionary—designed with audiences, participants, and community collaboration in mind. A summary of core organizational programs and services can be broken down into three categories:

WATCH—San Diego Latino Film Festival (SDLFF) celebrates its 32nd anniversary in March 2025 introducing viewers to contemporary US-Latino and Latin American cinema. Additional programming includes the Que Viva Outdoor Cine Latino Series, and daily screenings of at our Digital Gym Cinema.

LEARN—Media education programs for youth include: Teen Producers Project, Youth Media & Tech Camps, ¡Tu Cine! Student Film Showcase, the iVIE Awards & Student Film Festival and in-school media programs.

CREATE—Tools for community-based media production and collaboration include: Frontera Filmmakers, a grassroots training course for independent filmmakers; and Video Production Services, helping community groups make digital media presence accessible and affordable.

Organization