Mosaic Film Experience Receives $26,500 Grant to Expand Career Pathways Program
Mosaic Film Experience has been awarded a $26,500 grant from the Michigan Arts & Culture Council (MACC) and the National Endowment for the Arts to support purchasing additional digital media equipment and funding of its Career Pathways Digital Storytelling initiative for middle school students. The funding will allow Mosaic Film Experience to enhance educational resources and hands-on learning opportunities for youth in digital storytelling and creative career exploration.
“Our Career Pathways program equips young people with essential digital storytelling and media skills that open doors to all career paths,” said Skot Welch, founder and president, of the Mosaic Film Experience. “The support from the Michigan Arts & Culture Council is invaluable in helping us expand this hands-on learning experience, allowing more students to gain the tools and confidence they need to pursue their passions and contribute their unique talents to the world.”
The Career Pathways program begins with the Discovery and Exploration phase, which serves middle school students in grades 6-8. This phase includes Discovering Digital Storytelling, where students are introduced to digital storytelling basics such as media literacy, digital narrative creation, and content development. It also includes Exploring Digital Storytelling, where students go deeper into storytelling techniques and gain hands-on experience with emerging creative career pathways.
The Career Pathways program continues through high school with the Career Preparedness & Community Engagement segment. In this phase, high school students, grades 9-12, engage in the Summer Digital Media Project, a paid experience where they collaborate on integrated digital media initiatives, and participate in the Youth Apprenticeship program, partnering with community organizations and employers to explore potential career paths.
Program alums are encouraged to return as mentors, teaching artists, and contractors, empowering them to apply their skills professionally and support the next generation of storytellers.
For more information about the Mosaic Film Experience Career Pathways program, visit mosaicfilmexperience.com/mosaic-education.
Organizations receiving a MACC grant award are required to match those funds with other
public and private dollars. Local support of the Mosaic Film Experience Career Pathways program includes the Wege Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Steelcase Foundation.
The MACC peer review process allows for each grant application to be competitively
considered by a panel of in-state and out-of-state arts and culture professionals. This ensures the taxpayers, who support this project through legislative appropriations, and all other visitors or residents in Michigan will have access to the highest quality arts and cultural experiences.
A complete list of grant awards around the state is available by contacting MACC at
(517) 241-4011, or by visiting the MACC website at michigan.gov/arts.
