Scholarships, Awards & College Acceptances!
Inaugural Year of the Gregg Michael Zwirn Memorial Scholarship Fund
We were so pleased to welcome Susan Zwirn and Dani Friend to our annual Culminating Exhibition & Film Screening on May 18th. Susan and Dani are the mother and sister, respectively, of Gregg Zwirn, who passed away at the too-young age of 36, just as he planned to take his photography business to the next level. They established The Gregg Zwirn Memorial Scholarship Fund as a tribute to Gregg and, this year, gave their first scholarships to five of Venice Arts' college-bound Advanced StudiesPhotography students. His family and friends take comfort in knowing that his memory will always live on in his beautiful photographs and through this contribution to the next generation of photographers supported by Venice Arts.
If you are interested in contributing to our Creative Equity Scholarship Fund, or setting up a Fund in your name, or in honor of someone you love, please contact Kelly here.
Awards & Recognitions Just Keep Coming!
We are proud to share that our participants have won over 72 awards, film festival selections, and other recognitions this year, including a whopping 59 Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards (see winning image by Citlali, Age 18, top left), the prestigious Adobe Creativity Scholarship, and the selection of two films in the San Diego Latino Film Festival. Ten students also received full scholarships to the following programs: National Geographic Student Expeditions for 10-days studying street photography in New York City; California State Summer School for the Arts for a full-month’s arts residency; Grand Canyon Youth for a 10-day science rafting trip on the Grand Canyon; Idyllwild Arts for a two-week summer arts residency in the mountains; and a two-week art program through Otis College of Art & Design.
Off to College!
Congratulations to the graduating seniors in our Advanced Studies’ programs who are going on to college—most with full scholarships—including to Berkeley, CalArts, UCLA, USC, UC Davis, Santa Monica Community College, and Glendale Community College. Onward!
Learn more about Creative Pathways, supporting young people on the road to college and career success, here.
Special guests offer fresh perspectives to youth media makers at Venice Arts!
Special thanks to the incredible artists, journalists, and activists who share their ideas and talents with our young people! Of late: journalist Herran Bekele and activist Torie Osborn, talking to our teen filmmakers about the teens' latest project, First Vote, and Liz Levenson, from Cactus Tree Entertainment, along with Beth Bigler, taking pitches from the intermediate film class!
Venice Arts Welcomes Theater Artist Fanshen Cox DiGiovanni, Performing One Drop of Love
As part of our 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS, Venice Arts welcomed theater artist Fanshen Cox DiGiovanni for a special performance for our students and their families of her one-woman show One Drop of Love. The show explores “the intersections of race, class and gender in pursuit of truth, justice and LOVE.” A huge THANK YOU to Fanshen for this amazing afternoon for over 120 of our young artists and their families, which is sure to provide much inspiration for the year’s film and photo projects exploring identities. #truth #justice #love
This program is the first of five programs in our IDENTITIES series, in which five extraordinary artists, with their own connection to Venice Arts, and all of whom who explore multiple facets of identity in their work, will join us for special performances, screenings, and events. Designed to inspire and engage the teen artists at Venice Arts, most events are also open to the public.
Viceland + Venice Arts!
Venice Arts' filmmaking students were thrilled to receive several visits from Viceland's Development team this academic year. Our young filmmakers had the opportunity to practice "pitching" their idea for the year: capturing video of people on the Venice Pier and then creating multiple stories using the same footage. They were thrilled when the Viceland team returned to view the final pieces and give them notes.
Special thanks to Fred Grinstein, with Pulse Media, and Lauren Dolgen, Casey Meurer, and Kyle Silverstein with Viceland!
Venice Arts Featured on PhotoCulture
Venice Arts' Associate Director Elysa Voshell was recently interviewed for PhotoCulture, a new online publication that features conversations with individuals who are dedicated to the field of photography. Check out the conversation here.
VA Alumna Named to Lucie Foundation $2500 Emerging Artist Scholarship Shortlist
Venice Arts' Alumna Angela Francis was recently named to the Lucie Foundation's $2500 Emerging Artist Scholarship Shortlist. The prestigious award is open to photographers worldwide and seeks to support emerging talent with vision and dynamic ideas that challenge and progress the art form of still photography into work that compels. We're so proud of Angela's continued accomplishments in the photographic field!
Since being named as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts in 2014, Angela has continued her photographic journey, and has returned to Venice Arts this summer to intern and mentor other youth. About her current body of work, Angela writes:
"If you don’t know where you come from, you can’t know where you are going. Much of my childhood was spent at the foot of my Granny’s bed, listening to the stories of her past. Her photographs, along with adaptations of our family history, taught me the art of conversation, the importance of carrying on the tradition of storytelling. From glimpses of Granny’s personal history, I learned how my family landed on South Orange Drive. My current focus is on black womanhood and the elimination of the notion of a single story. The project I propose is a reflection on the multifaceted nature of black female identities. For decades, black women have taken on the lessons and responsibilities of their mothers: offering their bodies up as testimony, contesting silence and suppression. The black female identity is a social product, and her intricacies are often overlooked and minimized by her social location and the oppressions that come with being Black and female in this world....This is an extension of Granny’s story, as well as the people who have influenced me, within and outside of my craft."
VA Alumna Featured on Youth Media Reporter
Venice Arts' alumna Ashley Sanchez was recently featured on Youth Media Reporter, a peer-reviewed, professional journal for scholars, practitioners, and others who develop, organize, teach, study, and support youth media practices and programs.
Reflecting on her relationship to photography, Ashley writes:
"I found out about Venice Arts in 10th grade. I found myself at Venice Arts taking a Photography class, and I became passionate about photography. I would carry my camera with me everywhere and get ideas while walking the streets. Looking into a camera, I see things in a different way. Before, I didn’t look at lighting or composition in my day-to-day life. Now, when I’m in the moment or simply see something, I automatically think this could be a good photo if this and this was changed. I see my life in photos because of photography."
Check out Dum Spiro Spero, the book she produced while at Venice Arts, at the Youth Media Reporter link above.
-
December 2023
- Dec 4, 2023 Apprentices Create PSA for Illumination Ent & International Bird Rescue Dec 4, 2023
-
November 2023
- Nov 27, 2023 30th Anniversay Gala Nov 27, 2023
-
October 2023
- Oct 26, 2023 Making the Dream Real Oct 26, 2023
- Oct 5, 2023 Venice Arts is proud to be part of UBCUniversal's Creative Impact Lab Oct 5, 2023
-
September 2023
- Sep 22, 2023 Venice Arts Timeline 1993 - 2023 Sep 22, 2023
-
August 2023
- Aug 22, 2023 Entertainment Industy Foundation Profiles Alum Josh Calderon Aug 22, 2023
-
July 2023
- Jul 21, 2023 Pictures from Summer Media Arts Camp Jul 21, 2023
- Jul 20, 2023 Venice Arts is working with NBCUniversal’s Creative Impact Lab Jul 20, 2023
-
May 2023
- May 15, 2023 Graduation for the First Class of our State Registered Editing Pre-Apprenticeship Program May 15, 2023
- May 8, 2023 Venice Arts is a 2023 Non-Profit of the Year May 8, 2023
- May 8, 2023 The Getty partners with Venice Arts for Dawoud Bey & Carrie Mae Weems Exhibit May 8, 2023
-
April 2023
- Apr 19, 2023 Visual Storytelling Certificate Graduation Apr 19, 2023
- Apr 18, 2023 Creative Sector Partnerships Apr 18, 2023
- Apr 18, 2023 6 Young Filmmakers Selected for CBS Leadership Pipeline Challenge Apr 18, 2023
- Apr 5, 2023 From Big Studios to Independent Artists: Creative Conversations Apr 5, 2023
-
December 2022
- Dec 14, 2022 We're Hiring! Dec 14, 2022
- Dec 14, 2022 Registration open for our PAID Visual Storytelling, Video Production & Editing Program! Dec 14, 2022
-
November 2022
- Nov 17, 2022 Venice Arts' 29th Anniversary Gala was a success Nov 17, 2022
-
August 2022
- Aug 10, 2022 Graduated, certificated, ready for internship placements! Aug 10, 2022
-
July 2022
- Jul 14, 2022 Hello from Summer Media Arts Camp! Jul 14, 2022
-
June 2022
- Jun 22, 2022 Venice Arts receives Impact Award from the Pasadena Art Alliance! Jun 22, 2022
- Jun 2, 2022 13 youth to graduate from LA County's first PAID Video Production + Editing Program! Jun 2, 2022
-
May 2022
- May 23, 2022 Congratulations to our college-bound seniors! May 23, 2022
- May 23, 2022 Student Culminating Exhibition 2022 May 23, 2022
-
March 2022
- Mar 11, 2022 Announcing our PAID Video Production + Editing Program! Mar 11, 2022
-
October 2021
- Oct 1, 2021 Meet the newest members of our Creative Workforce Equity Advisory Board Oct 1, 2021
-
July 2021
- Jul 29, 2021 30 Young People Graduate from Venice Arts' Film + Digital Media Career Pathways pilot program! Jul 29, 2021
-
May 2021
- May 28, 2021 Animo + Venice Arts Create Photography Books May 28, 2021
- May 6, 2021 WAVE Award Presented to Lead Film Educator-Mentor, Alex Lee! May 6, 2021
-
February 2021
- Feb 1, 2021 Scholastic Art & Writing Award Winners! Feb 1, 2021
-
January 2021
- Jan 22, 2021 Announcing Venice Arts' Film & Digital Media Career Pathways Pilot Program Jan 22, 2021
-
December 2020
- Dec 16, 2020 Congratulations, Nathanem! Dec 16, 2020
-
November 2020
- Nov 30, 2020 Thank You Adobe + TakingITGlobal Nov 30, 2020
- Nov 2, 2020 TIME TO VOTE! Nov 2, 2020
-
October 2020
- Oct 22, 2020 In Memory, Arthur Cooke Oct 22, 2020
-
July 2020
- Jul 31, 2020 Motive + Venice Arts Jul 31, 2020
- Jul 8, 2020 In Our Young People's Words Jul 8, 2020
- Jul 8, 2020 Lift Up Your Voice for Justice: A Reflection from the Founding Director Jul 8, 2020
-
June 2020
- Jun 22, 2020 Venice Arts Awarded COVID-19 Relief Grant from J. Paul Getty Trust and California Community Foundation Jun 22, 2020
- Jun 3, 2020 Congratulations Venice Arts Seniors! Jun 3, 2020
-
May 2020
- May 5, 2020 Venice Arts Awarded Two California Arts Council Grants May 5, 2020
-
March 2020
- Mar 4, 2020 Founder Lynn Warshafsky featured in Venice Living Mar 4, 2020
-
February 2020
- Feb 19, 2020 Scholastic Art & Writing Award Winners! Feb 19, 2020
- Feb 3, 2020 Photo LA honors Venice Arts Feb 3, 2020
-
December 2019
- Dec 20, 2019 Thanks Superba! Dec 20, 2019
- Dec 3, 2019 National YoungArts Award Winners! Dec 3, 2019
-
May 2019
- May 31, 2019 Scholarships, Awards & College Acceptances! May 31, 2019
- May 1, 2019 Sony Field Trip May 1, 2019
-
April 2019
- Apr 10, 2019 Mechanics Bank Apr 10, 2019
- Apr 3, 2019 Venice Arts at Photoville Apr 3, 2019
- Apr 3, 2019 National Geographic Scholarship Apr 3, 2019
-
March 2019
- Mar 18, 2019 Scholastic Awards Mar 18, 2019
- Mar 18, 2019 Career Day Mar 18, 2019
- Mar 13, 2019 Creative Careers Day! Mar 13, 2019
- Mar 12, 2019 Special guests offer fresh perspectives to youth media makers at Venice Arts! Mar 12, 2019
-
January 2019
- Jan 21, 2019 Are You Our Next Director of Development? Jan 21, 2019
-
December 2018
- Dec 13, 2018 Volunteer as an Artist-Mentor! Dec 13, 2018
-
November 2018
- Nov 15, 2018 Our 25th Anniversary Gala! Nov 15, 2018
-
October 2018
- Oct 11, 2018 Mechanics Bank Does It Again! Oct 11, 2018
-
September 2018
- Sep 12, 2018 Venice Arts Welcomes Theater Artist Fanshen Cox DiGiovanni, Performing One Drop of Love Sep 12, 2018
-
July 2018
- Jul 31, 2018 Thank you to the team at Mechanics Bank! Jul 31, 2018
- Jul 30, 2018 Saturday with Firestone Walker Jul 30, 2018
- Jul 27, 2018 The Gregg Michael Zwirn Memorial Scholarship Fund Jul 27, 2018
-
June 2018
- Jun 8, 2018 Googlers for Good! Volunteer Day at Venice Arts Jun 8, 2018
-
May 2018
- May 2, 2018 Viceland + Venice Arts! May 2, 2018
-
April 2018
- Apr 30, 2018 Artist, Producer, Casting Director, Executive Apr 30, 2018
- Apr 20, 2018 PAID summer entertainment industry internships! Apr 20, 2018
-
March 2018
- Mar 14, 2018 Thirteen Students Win National Awards from Scholastic Art & Writing Mar 14, 2018
-
February 2018
- Feb 16, 2018 Venice Arts' Students Win Big at Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Feb 16, 2018
-
September 2017
- Sep 24, 2017 Venice Arts Featured on PhotoCulture Sep 24, 2017
-
July 2017
- Jul 19, 2017 VA Alumna Named to Lucie Foundation $2500 Emerging Artist Scholarship Shortlist Jul 19, 2017
-
April 2017
- Apr 24, 2017 VA Alumna Featured on Youth Media Reporter Apr 24, 2017
-
March 2017
- Mar 14, 2017 Venice Arts Featured on CBS Los Angeles Mar 14, 2017
-
February 2017
- Feb 15, 2017 Voices of the Forest: Thailand to be Featured at Earth Optimism Summit Feb 15, 2017
- Feb 6, 2017 Advanced Studies Filmmaking Students Visit Adaptive Studios Feb 6, 2017
-
January 2017
- Jan 17, 2017 Advanced Studies Students Exhibit at Photo L.A. Jan 17, 2017
-
December 2016
- Dec 12, 2016 Open Studio 2 Pays a Visit to Zambezi LA Dec 12, 2016
-
November 2016
- Nov 5, 2016 Venice Art's 23rd Anniversary Gala | The Best Party in Venice Nov 5, 2016
-
August 2016
- Aug 17, 2016 Students Screen Film as Part of Sundance Next Fest 2016 Aug 17, 2016
-
July 2016
- Jul 29, 2016 Behind the Scenes at the Natural History Museum of LA Jul 29, 2016
- Jul 9, 2016 Venice Arts X Winc: Local Flavor Collaboration Jul 9, 2016
- Jul 1, 2016 Venice Arts & RECOFTC Collaborative Documentary an Official Selection at the G2 Green Earth Film Festival Jul 1, 2016
-
June 2016
- Jun 24, 2016 Venice Arts & Women's Voices Now joined by actors and activists alike to talk about Syria Jun 24, 2016
- Jun 8, 2016 #PartyatthePolls with #VeniceVotes: An Interactive Photo Booth Jun 8, 2016
-
May 2016
- May 23, 2016 For One Night Only: Venice Arts takes over Culver Studios for Student Screening May 23, 2016
- May 15, 2016 Advanced Studies Student wins Young Photographer Award from be-Art magazine May 15, 2016
- May 14, 2016 Celebrating Community and Creativity at Our 2016 Student Culminating Exhibition May 14, 2016
- May 12, 2016 Congratulations to Teaching Artist & Mentor Carly Short on her WAVE Award May 12, 2016
- May 10, 2016 Advanced Film is visited by Caitrin Rogers, Stephen Nichols, and an Oscar May 10, 2016
-
April 2016
- Apr 28, 2016 Venice Arts featured in New Documentary Series "Pardee Community" Apr 28, 2016
- Apr 12, 2016 Community Partner KREATION ORGANIC hosts Earth Day-Inspired Student Exhibition Apr 12, 2016
-
February 2016
- Feb 29, 2016 Venice Arts' 6th Annual Speakeasy at the Townhouse Feb 29, 2016
- Feb 22, 2016 We've Got Talent: Students Share Work at Open Mic/Open Projector Feb 22, 2016
-
January 2016
- Jan 28, 2016 Advanced Studies Students Shine at photo l.a. 2016 Jan 28, 2016
-
October 2015
- Oct 23, 2015 Venice Arts' Film Students Visit The Mission for Hands On Special Effects Learning Oct 23, 2015
- Oct 16, 2015 Pushing Buttons, Pushing Boundaries: Venice Arts’ Debut Web Series Gives Diverse Students a Voice Oct 16, 2015
- August 2015
-
July 2015
- Jul 3, 2015 Venice Arts student Rocio Padilla wins Warner Bros. Reach Honorship Jul 3, 2015
- November 2014
-
February 2014
- Feb 26, 2014 Top Honors for Venice Arts Students at YoungArts and Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Feb 26, 2014
-
October 2013
- Oct 23, 2013 Venice Arts Students Participate in the ALL EYES ON YOU Studio Art Review at LMU Oct 23, 2013
-
September 2013
- Sep 23, 2013 New York Times Lens Blog Features Work by Venice Arts Students! Sep 23, 2013
-
January 2013
- Jan 23, 2013 Venice Arts' Grammy Awards Experience Jan 23, 2013
-
May 2012
- May 2, 2012 VA Students Attend What's Going On...NOW Youth Summit in Washington DC May 2, 2012