Art Options: Crane Tech Digital Media Apprenticeship

During July 2009, Urban Gateways partnered with The School of the Arts Institute of Chicago to provide an intensive digital media apprenticeship for a select group of high school students from Chicago’s Crane Tech Prep.  The project was part of Urban Gateways Art Options program, which provides paid arts apprenticeships for at-risk middle and high school students and culminates in a community-based arts project.

The Crane Tech Digital Media Apprenticeship was lead by Urban Gateways teaching artist Chelsea Knight, who had been leading a digital photography class at Crane Tech through our Artist-in-Residence program since January 2009.  The goal of the apprenticeship was to allow a select group of students to continue their studies with Ms. Knight, while earning school credit and a stipend,

Seven students were chosen to participate in the two-week summer course, which met six hours a day, five days a week.  It covered screenwriting, shooting, editing, and exhibiting a video piece.  Participating students received course credit from their high school and a $300 apprenticeship stipend.  

The course introduced the students to a college experience by exposing them to the intensive and concentrated environment at an institution of higher learning.  They developed hands-on media and computer skills, as well as literacy skills focused on professional presentation.

Each student developed, shot and edited a final video piece that was edited into a five-part video entitled “An Interpretation of Life and Death”.  The film explores and chronicles the progressive stages of life. 

Watch a clip of "An Interpretation of Life and Death>>

A screening of the film was held on July 20 at Nightingale Theater in Chicago for the students, teachers, family and friends. A second screening will be held on September 17, 2009 at The School of the Arts Institute of Chicago.