Empowering Community by Inspiring Creative Action

Access to Creative Industry Employment (sponsored by Snap Foundation)

South Bay

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative

The decline in school's creative programming is at an all-time high and with the skateboard industry expansion on the rise, we understand how vital the creative fields contribute to personal development, as well as economic growth. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences study reports, “Arts education was already in a state of crisis and dire need before the fraught year of 2020, and the pandemic has intensified that crisis exponentially,” In efforts to restore and enhance the community through recreational programming, we strive to promote creative activities that foster self-expression and a healthy, inclusive, educational, and culturally-rich environment that will improve the success of future generations.

Our youth programming would consist of three main education categories; skateboard coaching, action-sports photography, and short-form video content. Inspiring creative action through a do-it-yourself approach requires an element of hands-on training, coaching, and mentorship. The skateboarding lessons give students everything they need to build confidence, progress their skills, and build community. From warming up and stretching to movement analysis, safety equipment, and skatepark etiquette, students will gain the skills and awareness required to navigate public skateparks regardless of skill level. Digital videography and photography are a huge part of any industry, especially skateboarding. Select students will learn a wide range of photography skills from technical aspects to visual composition while shooting in the field using up-to-date industry-standard equipment. Laying the foundation for future growth can help provide value to establish future employment opportunities for our youth.

Our vision is to expand our efforts for a more creative and collaborative community through hands-on recreational activities. Gaining industry skills can have a major impact on benefiting and uplifting the youth of San Pedro. By creating and implementing these initiatives, we aim to start an internship program and offer school credits to students who wants to gain professional experience through a personalized curriculum and coached by professional industry mentors. Through each of the three category programs; skateboarding, photography, and videography, each student will leave with a product to take home. The skateboarders will have photos and skate video and the photographers and videographer students will have a start to their professional portfolios. A perk would be to have a film screening, and photography show to showcase the talents and learnings of each student. This will not only enrich the students vision and condience but cultivate community and diversity.

Our current method of impact evaluation is based on the global press and skatepark attendance. As we continue to expand our nonprofit and begin with these youth programs, our method would vastly improve. The data collection methods will include surveys, client and student participation feedback forms and questionnaires, social media statistics, web analytical metrics, and observational event attendance. Also, listening to the needs of our community is a great way to evolve and enhance the current programs over time. A more in-depth social impact analysis report would require bringing in a professional program evaluation assessment company with a wide range of diagnostic tools to help us measure performance.