Youth Media Programs FAQ

  • At Venice Arts, we believe that access to creativity, storytelling, and self-expression should never be determined by economic status. We recognize that we live in a society shaped by deep inequalities. That’s why we offer Pay What You Can Pricing for some of our programs. It’s a small but meaningful way to promote economic justice, dignity, and belonging within our community.

    Here’s how it works:
    We value our Media Arts Workshops at $600 for 10 weeks and our Advanced Workshops at $900 for 12 weeks.

    If you’re unable to pay the full cost, please pay what you can.

    If you’re able to pay the full cost, please do.

    Your contribution not only supports your own experience but also helps underwrite the cost for someone else.

    For paying families, we operate on an honor system. We won’t ask you to provide financial documentation—and we don’t judge your choices. We simply ask that you contribute what feels right for you, knowing that your decision supports the whole community.

    We also invite those with greater means to consider making a donation to our Creative Equity Scholarship Fund, which directly supports scholarships and makes our programs more accessible for all.

    This is what community care looks like: showing up for one another in the ways we can.

  • We follow the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) guidelines, modified for Los Angeles. We base income on household size and income.

    To verify income we ask families to please provide one of the following for each parent/adult contributor:

    • Most recent paystub from past 30 days

    • A dated copy of your benefits letter for public benefits such as unemployment, or a pension

    • If you have none of the above: your most recent tax return (1040)

    • If your are divorced/separated please provide verification of child support and any other resources provided by a parent not living in the household, regardless of whether or not they share custody.

    If you do not have any of the above income documentation you may contact us to fill out a self-certification form.

  • Most workshops are 10 weeks in length and meet for 2 hours once a week.

    All Advanced Workshops are 24 weeks: 12 weeks in the Fall and 12 weeks in the Spring and meet for 3 hours on Saturday afternoons.

  • Yes! We encourage students to take multiple workshops. Just make sure they aren’t running during the same day and time.

  • Yes! We have a Summer Camp that begins in July and runs for four weeks. Workshops meet every weekday for 3 hours.

    • 100% refund if class is canceled due to low enrollment, faculty illness or other reasons related to Venice Arts.

    • 100% refund if requested 30 days prior to the start of classes minus a $30 processing fee.

    • 50% refund if requested 21-29 days prior to the start of classes minus a $30 processing fee.

    • No refunds are provided if requested less than 21 days prior to the start of classes.