Spark your curiosity + expand your creativity
SPRING 2026
Photo ○ Film ○ Animation ○ illustration
Venice Arts’ workshops in photography, filmmaking, animation, and narrative illustration, for youth ages 10-18, will spark your curiosity and expand your creativity, while you develop projects using high quality equipment and software. Teens also receive support for college and creative career pathways, scholarships, awards, and more! Field trips, and in-class activities will support young people to express their unique perspectives. All materials and equipment are provided!
applications Open december 1
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 weeks
10 week workshops
10 week workshops will meet once a week for 10 consecutive weeks.
All students will have a chance to showcase their completed work at our community celebration on May 9th.
TuesdayS - thursdays
4-6pm
Saturday mornings
10am-noon
Saturday afternoons
1-3pm
10 week workshops will be announced in november!
February 17-May 2, 2026
Advanced Workshops begin February 7, 2026
Spring Break March 20-April 4
Advanced workshops
February 7-May 2, 2026
Spring Break March 30-April 4
Venice Arts’ Advanced Workshops are for students who have been studying in their chosen medium for at least two years. These workshops are for students dedicated to attending all 24 weeks (12 fall / 12 spring) in order to complete an impactful project and build their portfolios. New students may be asked to provide supplemental materials such as examples of work or proof of attendance in related arts programs.
Saturdays
1 - 4pm | high school
Advanced Photography Workshop
Project Description: Beyond Concrete
Every year, people move to Los Angeles because of its proximity to the ocean and the mountains. There are also smaller green spaces speckled across the city, but access is not always guaranteed for all Angelenos. Using their camera as investigative tools, students will explore green spaces that are hidden beyond concrete and highways, near or far, and craft a pocket map that reflects their unique perspectives. Students will be encouraged to think about sustainability, urban planning, environmental justice, gentrification, historic preservation, public transportation, and how they influence our interactions with a city. At the end of the fall term, students will also have the opportunity to showcase their mid-project progress at a pop-up exhibition at Peak Design!
Overview
This advanced workshop is designed for students who have prior photography experience. Students 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 students exposure to diverse approaches to personal and creative storytelling and students will build their ability to look critically at images and engage in discussion with their peers. Portfolio reviews and critiques of student work further develop their understanding of the medium and each student’s personal, aesthetic interests. Over the 24 weeks, students will develop an independent portfolio, portions of which will be included in special public exhibit(s) in addition to the Community Exhibitions at Venice Arts at the end of each semester.
Students may need to work on their projects outside of class time to allow for critique and workshopping their project during class time.
Advanced Filmmaking Workshop
Project Description
Using sports as the catalyst, students will create a documentary short that explores thematic elements such as competition, perseverance, performance, or teamwork. Students will be encouraged to focus on what is happening in their local community and connect it to the large topics that concern Los Angeles, California, and possibly the world.
Overview
This advanced film workshop is designed for students who have prior filmmaking experience. Students 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 significant historic and contemporary filmmakers are shared, giving students exposure to diverse approaches to personal and creative storytelling and students will build their ability to look critically at images and to engage in discussion with their peers. Critique of student work further develops an understanding of the medium and each student’s personal, aesthetic interests. Over the 24 weeks, students will produce a short film which will be included in the community celebration at the end of the academic year.
In addition to contributing to a group project around a shared theme, students 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. Students 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 students explore creative career pathways, and develop the confidence needed to succeed.
Students may need to work on their projects outside of class time to allow for critique and workshopping their film during class time.
