We named Mosaic Film Experience as a recipient of the Create Action Grant to support their mission to empower underrepresented youth to explore emerging and creative careers through the power of storytelling. As recipients of the Create Action Grant, Mosaic Film Experience receives $50,000 in cash to continue and expand the organization's work, $50,000 in Sony Electronics products to support their action plan, and this Sony-produced short film telling their story:
Using digital storytelling as a tool for learning, the organization aims to level the playing field for students across barriers created by economic status, race, gender, disability or geographic location. The Living Histories Project, a Mosaic Film Experience summer education program, gives students new ways to engage with their communities, develop professional skills and explore creative careers using intergenerational learning.
“We are a community of folks supporting young people,” explains founder and president Skot Welch. “And we really believe that they can really do some amazing things.”
It’s clear to see that learning how to tell stories has had an incredible impact on the students. “What I’ve learned is that you step out of your comfort zone, you get more in tune with yourself and you start to understand yourself,” says Nuha, a student of the program. “And you realize that you have a lot of potential. Being around that environment and being around the right people will really just shine a new light on your life in a way.”
“That’s the unique thing about humans, we always want to know about other humans,” adds student Jeremiah. "Telling stories is just another way to communicate with other people. So that’s really what I have learned and excited to take on my journey.”
Elizabeth Merriman, who is the manager of programming and education, hopes to empower the next generation to have agency in their voices through their offerings. “To give them roadmaps to pursue opportunities they may not have even realized were options,” she says.
Above all, the program aims to teach youth that they have a voice. They aren’t too young, they have agency and they can make good stuff to go far.
Learn more at mosaicfilmexperience.com.
Explore more of our Create Action grant recipients at alphauniverse.com/createaction.
