Grantee Database
OUTSIDE THE LENS
Grant Year
2025-26
Grant Program
Arts and Youth
Award Amount
$20,500.00
Project Description
Outside The Lens (OTL) requests $25,000 to provide quality arts experiences and learning opportunities through NextGen Voices, an 10-week intensive media arts program serving at least 50 neurotypical and neurodivergent youth ages 13-25. CAC funds directly support Media Educator salaries, youth artist stipends, outreach, exhibitions, and assistance technology. Meeting 2 hours weekly, youth build confidence while artistically expressing their own stories through media arts. Using Hello Insight’s evidence-based tools, we track social-emotional development including self-management, positive identity, and creative confidence. The program centers youth voices through workshops driven by and adapted to participant needs and interests. Our trauma-informed approach creates safe spaces for priority population youth from juvenile justice facilities, alternative schools, and underserved communities. This culturally responsive program develops critical thinking, communication, and technical skills while transforming participants into skilled creators and arts advocates.
Organization Summary
Outside the Lens engages the next generation of artists, storytellers, and innovators through media arts education. Through our programs, youth learn media arts skills, media literacy, socio-emotional development, vocational exploration, and civic engagement. Our Media Educators create a learning environment centered on trauma-informed practices, culturally responsive teaching, socio-emotional learning, and restorative practices.
K-8 Programs: Partnering with schools and districts, we enhance students’ learning by integrating media arts and technology into core curricula (Math, Science, Social Sciences, English Language Arts) for grades K-8. These projects deepen students’ understanding of core content, cultivate media arts skills, and foster a well-rounded educational experience. Our after-school programs and summer camps offer youth opportunities to explore their passions, develop new skills, and discover the transformative power of media arts.
Teens and Transitional Age Youth Programs: We provide specialized programming for teens and Transitional Age Youth (TAY) (18-25 years old) through community partnerships. Our projects enhance media literacy, promote social-emotional wellbeing, and foster intergenerational community connections. This programming develops creative pathways for career and college readiness, encourages self-discovery, and civic engagement, empowering teens to amplify their voices and effect positive change.
Media Makers inspires young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)—facilitating independence and creative expression.
Educator Trainings: We offer arts-integration teacher training to help educators integrate art-based lessons into their curriculum. Available for individual educators, grade level teams, schools, or districts, these trainings provide innovative ideas, practical skills, and ready-to-use projects aligned with Media Arts and Common Core standards.
Summer Camps: Our Media Arts Summer Camps offer youth in grades K-8 to explore various artistic mediums, such as photography, filmmaking, graphic design, and animation.
Community Workshops: Our weekend and evening media arts workshops, open to families, teens, and adults, cater to both budding artists and experienced creators seeking further skill development.
Organization
Outside the Lens
Address
125 14th St
San Diego
92101
County
San Diego
Region
Far South
Phone
(858) 349-7578
Congressional District
District 50
State Assembly District
District 77
State Senate District
District 39
