MEDIA ARTS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
THE GOAL
The idea behind our FREE training program is an ambitious one: Take a small cohort of young people from underserved communities without college degrees, and teach them to be audio/video professionals and digital storytellers, so that they may have access to real high-growth careers in the creative economy.
CORE SKILLS
Our trainees meet Monday through Thursday during the day for 24 weeks, to learn core audio and video skills. These classes are comprised of hands-on training, traditional classroom time, site visits, individual and group projects, and various other modalities. Core competencies will include Music Production, Pro Tools/Digital Audio Workstation skills, Adobe Premiere/Video Software skills, Audio Recording, Audio Editing, Video Editing, Audio Mixing, Camera Operation and Technology, Audio Technology, Video Technology, and essentials of Audio/Visual Installation and Integration.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS & THE GIG ECONOMY
The Loop Lab’s Media Arts Apprenticeship Program focuses on using these core skills in a professional context. The curriculum is heavily project-based to simulate real-world work scenarios, as an individual and as a group, often working with partner organizations producing work that will be part of the student’s portfolios. These include scenarios working in a traditional workplace dynamic and as freelancers in the gig economy. Trainees are also taught client interaction and billing practices. We want our trainees to be prepared for audio/video jobs as they are now and will be in the future, not only the way it has been in the past.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Our trainees also work on the skills that make a “whole” person and professional during our program. They learn holistic skills such as financial literacy, communication techniques, professional branding and interviewing, as well as best practices around accountability and time management.
APPRENTICESHIPS
Students are required to participate in at least a 200 hour paid apprenticeship with on-the-job training (OJT) at the end of the classroom portion of the program. This hands-on work experience in the audio/visual field is critical to their professional development. It also gives them a key piece of experience for their resume and future job prospects.
APPLY
The Loop Lab’s Media Arts Apprenticeship Program runs yearly from June through May. The training portion runs from June to early December. Graduates will be placed onto paid internships in January, and will work in their placements for at least 200 hours. Graduates who complete both the training and paid-internship portion of the program will receive their official certification as a audio/visual technician professional in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!
Applications are accepted via our online form beginning in the Spring. It is mandatory to join and complete one of our Audio/Video Technology Workshops, where you will also complete an in-person interview. There will be several workshops in the Spring and dates will be shared via an invitation to eligible applicants.