Academy Manager, Lucas Raagas, demonstrates how to use the mixer while apprentices watch
The Academy enjoyed a strong third quarter of 2024. The summer is always a busy time for our educational programs at The Loop Lab, but our larger staff has offered each program and simultaneously prepared for future growth and improvement. Since beginning the Media Arts Apprenticeship in June, all 10 apprentices have completed multiple projects with impressive technological prowess, our high school program exceeded expectations by all our metrics, we are beginning our alumni network with an ambassador committee, and we are excited for what is to come in quarter four.
After beginning the program in June, our record number of apprentices have learned audio production and photography skills. They have completed a podcast pilot episode and photo essay in only a couple months. Their scores in the technological sophistication of projects in both mediums have been the most professional and impressive to date. The creative direction and vision for both projects have been strong and a skill that only strengthens as we go through each project. Ten students are a significant benchmark for the Academy. We started with four apprentices seven years ago, and our steady growth has not wavered from our inch-wide, mile-deep transformational approach and philosophy.
Our high school program ran successfully with 14 producers participating in our six-week exploratory program. The summer work experience, which we operate in partnership with the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP) in Cambridge, included completion of several multimedia projects including video, podcasting, and photography projects at The Hive at the Cambridge Public Library. The summer was highlighted by a showcase event, and a high school program and Media Arts Apprenticeship crossover day consisting of a studio lighting demonstration. Our high school program is looking to grow with the goal of serving more of our communities of young people in Greater Boston.
Cohort 6 apprentices, Nino Leite and Destiny Cuevas, show off their program certificates at their graduation
In early September, we held an alumni mixer as an opportunity to build comradery amongst graduates of the Media Arts Apprenticeship. Our second annual event was organized by the Loop Lab Academy team for the last time, but the event will continue. In the future, this, and other events will be organized by our Alumni Ambassador Committee. This group will organize events on behalf of the organization, develop more effective forms of communication with our alumni network, and help shape the future of the Academy as a whole. We are looking for another member, but the current members of the committee are as follows:
Abraham Lopez, graduate from Cohort 5
Anna Montano, graduate of Cohort 6
Damien Wellington, graduate of Cohort 5
Nino Leite, Graduate of Cohort 6
Ami Brown, current apprentice in cohort 7
Taijai Slaughter, graduate of Cohort 3
We are excited about what this group will add to the organization. Our organization will always have our apprentices and young adults at the forefront of our initiatives and this committee is geared to make that even more of a reality.
Cohort 7 Media Arts Apprentices meet their first production client, Audible
The end of the year for Loop Lab Academy is a busy yet rewarding few months. We conclude the training of our flagship program which is no small feat. We are gearing up for them to complete two video projects in two months, including our client-oriented group project with Audible. This is a time that our students learn first-hand how to handle multiple projects at once while also applying for their fellowship opportunities in the new year. It is an important development period where we mentor apprentices in how to manage stress and meet the high expectations that are set for them. 2024 has been a fruitful year for us thus far, and we are doing everything we can so that the final quarter of 2024 follows that trend.