CENTER FOR CREATIVE WORKFORCE EQUITY

digital storytelling Pre-apprenticeship

Take the next step on your creative career pathway!

Apply for our free pre-apprenticeship program designed to build your creative and technical knowledge and skills in digital storytelling and multimedia production, and to support you as you apply for on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and early career work in the creative sector!

You’ll receive over 160-hours of training at Venice Arts, plus complete project-based assignments; receive mentoring and other forms of support; meet sector professionals through our Creative Conversations program; and work with our Recruiter.

Successful graduates receive a cash stipend, are Certified by Venice Arts, and sit for Adobe Premier Pro Professional Certification! Map your journey, here!

  • Fall 2026 | Applications Open April 15, 2026. Application Deadline: August 17, 2026.

    Fall 2026 Cohort runs September 8 - October 30

    Applicants must commit to attending 100% of this intensive, in-person program, which is held at Venice Arts.

    Classes meet over 8 weeks, from 10:30 am-5:30 pm on T, W, Th, Fri (weeks 1 & 8), and T, W, Th (weeks 2-7). Please consider whether or not you will be able to participate before applying.

    In addition to formal class times, you will be expected to complete projects outside of class, attend mentoring meetings and special networking events, such as Creative Conversations, and to meet with our Recruiter, who will support you as you apply for on-the-job training, apprenticeships, or jobs.

  • To be eligible, you must be:

    — Age 18 to 24

    — A resident of LA County

    — Low-income

    — Some video production, editing, or other creative experience required, although it does not need to be in a formal (school) setting

    Priority is given to young people living in areas with high COVID impact and to those who are:

    — BIPOC

    — Former foster, unhoused, or criminal justice impacted

    — LGBTQIA+.

    If you are selected, we may be able to assist with transportation costs and other possible barriers to participation.

Space is limited. Applications for Fall 2026 open on April 15. Application deadline: August 17, 2026.

CREATIVE CONVERSATIONs

Summer 2026 series

4 saturdays (June 13 & 27; July 11 & 25)

2 sessions will be in person and 2 sessions with be VIRTUAL. FREE!

REGISTER HERE and and join the conversation! Meet directors, producers, cinematographers, executives, agents, animators, and more, while learning about diverse career pathways open to you. Active participants receive priority when applying to the Digital Storytelling Pre-Apprenticeship program. Current DSP student’s are required to enroll.

FREE! Open to all, with priority given to low-income young people ages 16 to 24.

Check-out past & upcoming Conversations, here!

SIGN UP FOR CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS, HERE

journey through the program

  • Group of students listening to talk

    Attend Free Events

    Expos, mixers, creative career panels, and master classes build knowledge, skills, and networks.

  • Shooting a PSA

    Be Job Ready + Ambitious

    A dedicated artist. An analytic editor. A storyteller. A manager of creative projects. All are welcomed.

    Some experience preferred, passion expected. Formal education not required.

  • Girl drawing

    Learn More + Apply

    Attend a Virtual Info Session

    Submit Your Application, Resume, Personal Statement, & Strongest Work Sample

    Schedule A Virtual Interview

  • Student on film set

    Create + Learn

    Make Narrative and Documentary Shorts, Commercial & Personal Projects

    Build A Portfolio Demonstrating Creative and Technical Knowledge and Skills

    Make Your Resume Shine

  • Student Editing

    Certificates

    Venice Arts’ Pre-Apprenticeship Certification

    Sit For Adobe Premiere Pro Professional Certification

  • Student holding sign that says crew

    Career Support

    Meet With Counselor & Recruiter

    Support During Search For On-The-Job Training, Apprenticeships, Jobs

We are grateful the Ready to Rise program (a partnership of the California Community Foundation, Liberty Hill Foundation and the Los County Department of Probation) for their generous support in being our lead funder of our program.

Thanks to the following companies and foundations for their generous support: The Golden Globes Foundation,; NBCUniversal Creative Impact Lab; NBC Launch; the Perenchio Foundation; the Snap Foundation; United Talent Agency; Sony Pictures Entertainment.; and the W.M. Keck Foundation.

And to our many creative sector partners who provide both learning and work experience to our participants—we couldn’t do it without you!