Fall 2026
Spark your curiosity + expand your creativity
During our Media Arts Workshops presentations of historic and contemporary artists are shared; field trips are taken to relevant cultural sites; and in-class activities are created to increase media literacy and provide students with exposure to diverse approaches to storytelling, all while building their ability to express themselves creatively. While enrolled in a workshop, students will have access to professional quality equipment and software; all materials and equipment are provided! At the end of the workshops’ term, student artwork will be showcased at our Community Day + Exhibition.
applications opeN
Our Media Arts Programs are offered at no cost to low income families.
For all other families, we offer Pay What You Can Pricing. At Venice Arts we serve students of all economic backgrounds and no one will be turned away due to lack of funds; however, low-income families do receive priority enrollment. Proof of low income status is required for priority enrollment.
We value our Media Arts Workshops at $600 for 10 weeks and our Advanced Workshops at $900 for 12 week.
To apply in person call (310) 392-0846/email info@venicearts.org for an appointment.
10 week workshops
September 19 - DeCember 5, 2026
Advanced Workshops begin September 5, 2026
10 week workshops will meet once a week for 10 consecutive weeks with the exception of Saturday, November 7th, and FALL BREAK, November 23-29.
All artists will have a chance to showcase their completed work at our community celebration on December 12th.
Tuesdays 4-6pm
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During this beginning-to-intermediate Narrative Illustration workshop, youth will retell a dream sequence using a non-traditional traditional comic format. Instead of standard rectangle cells and boxes young people will be encouraged to think outside of the box, and create a format that embodies their dream, such as a thought bubble, an animal, a person, or something abstract. Learners will dive into the fundamentals and use traditional methods (pencil + paper) and finalize their work with the use of ProCreate. Learners will draw using perspective, draw characters using basic shapes, use line-weight, and color to enhance their comics and develop their storytelling skills. At the end of the 10-week workshop, their final comic will be showcased at our Community Day + Exhibition.
Thursdays 4-6pm
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In this arts leadership class, teens will explore art as a means of self-expression, community engagement, and social justice dialogue. Through presentations of historic and contemporary artists, learners will deepen their understanding of an artist's role in social change; and develop a community project to engage the public at our Community Day + Exhibit. Professional development opportunities will be developed in collaboration with youth based on their interests and available mentors. Learners will also receive opportunities to decorate the campus, contribute to social media, and volunteer at events.
Youth who attend all workshop classes and events can earn up to 36 volunteer hours towards school requirements.
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In this intermediate animation course, learners will advance their skills in digital animation and develop technical skills through digital softwares and analog experiments.Young people will learn composition and simple graphic design language. Projects will include an animated poster, animated zine and flip book. At the end of the 10-week workshop the youth artwork will be showcased at our Community Day + Exhibition.
Saturdays 10am-noon
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This beginning-to-intermediate workshop is a mix of photography, craft, and experimentation that celebrates art and its historic use in storytelling and personal identity. Learners will create portraits by incorporating mixed media elements such as collage, drawing, hand sewing, block printing, and more. The final project will be an embellished cyanotype portrait that will showcase the mixed media skills learned throughout the workshop. At the end of the 10-week workshop the portraits will be showcased at our Community Day + Exhibition.
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In this beginning-to-intermediate workshop, learners will develop skills in the fundamentals of filmmaking and how to break the mold to create something aesthetically unique. Youth will experiment with found footage, stop motion animation, and green screen technology to tell a one of a kind story. At the end of the 10 week workshop the final shorts will be showcased at our Community Day + Exhibition.
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In this beginning-to-intermediate photography workshop youth will explore the relationship between urban structures and nature. Learners will develop their technical photography skills while deepening their storytelling capabilities. Youth in the workshop will learn how to: use a dslr camera in priority mode, focus fixed and zoom lenses, and use Lightroom for basic editing. At the end of the 10 week workshop the final photographs will be showcased at our Community Day + Exhibition.
Saturday 1-3pm
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In this all level multimedia workshop youth will explore the many dimensions of identity through creative expression. Using a combination of photography, animation, drawing, collage, writing, and mixed media, youth will examine the experiences, values, cultures, communities, and personal stories that shape who they are. Learners will be introduced to fundamental multimedia production techniques while experimenting with different artistic approaches to communicate their unique perspectives. By the end of the workshop, each young person will create an original multimedia piece that reflects an aspect of their identity. At the end of the 10 week workshop these artworks will be showcased at our Community Day + Exhibition.
Advanced workshops
September 5-december 5, 2026
No Class November 7th or 28th
Venice Arts’ Advanced workshops are for youth who have been studying in their chosen medium for at least two years. These workshops are for learners dedicated to attending all 24 weeks (12 fall / 12 spring) in order to complete an impactful project and build their portfolios.
Saturdays
1 - 4pm | high school
Advanced Photography Workshop
Overview
This advanced workshop is designed for youth who have prior photography experience. Learners deepen their skills and knowledge in photography while creating an independent project investigating techniques and stories that are personally meaningful to them while simultaneously contributing to a larger group project around a specific subject. Presentations of work by historic and contemporary photographers are shared giving young people exposure to diverse approaches to personal and creative storytelling and learners will build their ability to look critically at images and engage in discussion with their peers. Portfolio reviews and critiques of youth artwork further develop their understanding of the medium and each person’s unique aesthetic interests. Over the 24 weeks, learners will develop an independent portfolio, portions of which will be included in special public exhibit(s) in addition to the Community Day + Exhibition at Venice Arts at the end of each semester.
Learners may need to work on their projects outside of class time to allow for critique and workshopping their project during class time.
Project anouncement coming soon!
Advanced Filmmaking Workshop
Overview
This advanced workshop is designed for youth who have prior filmmaking experience. Learners deepen their skills and knowledge in filmmaking while collaborating on a short film that explores stories that are personally meaningful to them. Presentations of work by historic and contemporary photographers are shared giving young people exposure to diverse approaches to personal and creative storytelling and learners will build their ability to look critically at images and engage in discussion with their peers. Portfolio reviews and critiques of youth artwork further develop their understanding of the medium and each person’s unique aesthetic interests. Over the 24 weeks, learners will develop an independent portfolio, portions of which will be included in special public exhibit(s) in addition to the Community Day + Exhibition at Venice Arts at the end of each semester.
Learners may need to work on their projects outside of class time to allow for critique and workshopping their project during class time.
In addition, youth have the opportunity to participate in career-building programming provided by the Center for Creative Workforce Equity (CCWE). This includes mentorship from professionals in film, television, and digital media; workshops focused on resume-building, interview skills, and portfolio development; and visits to production studios and creative workplaces. Youth also have access to guest speakers from companies such as Sony, Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney, Lionsgate, Nickelodeon, and DreamWorks. These experiences are designed to help young people explore creative career pathways, and develop the confidence needed to succeed.
Project Description: Every Person in History
Through this workshop, learners will develop skills in storytelling methods, documentary styles, archival research, and critical thinking. Each young person will be paired with an elder in the MPTF community through an interest survey. The pair will meet and discuss a topic of interest that connects to an aspect of the elder’s life. The learner will then develop a documentary proposal that uses the elder’s story as a focal point for that topic. They will then conduct interviews, find archival footage and create a retrospective that considers personal connections, historical events, and links to contemporary issues.
This program aims to consider how every person is a part of the great moments in history because they were there, and teaches the idea that every life is worthy of documentation. While learners will be expanding their filmmaking and storytelling skills, it also intends to connect generations through the medium and develop a people’s timeline of history. Learners will be able to add perspective to what existed before them, and the elders will be able to witness what has become new.
