Youth Training Institute at DCTV

The Youth Training Institute at DCTV, also known as YTI, gives young people in the DC Metro area the opportunity and space to learn, understand and create media to make positive changes in the Washington DC community. YTI empowers youth voices by providing forums for expression for youth, which includes the development and productions of programs, and helping young people become engaged in our community through creative expression and various uses of media.  There are 5 core programs under the YTI umbrella.

DCTV Kids Camp

DCTV Kids Camp is a unique media arts summer experience for DC youth, ages 11-15.  In partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, DCTV created a vigorous media literacy and production curriculum, which includes arts education and field trips.  Youth participants from local organizations explore art interpretation, using media tools to express a creative vision.

Youth Media Bridges

Youth Media Bridges is DCTV’s membership program for middle-school and high-school students.  Participants receive workforce development and media skills training in a project-based learning environment. Youth Media Bridges participants are also DCTV youth members, which gives them access to DCTV production resources, mentoring, and training. Youth can also earn credit for service learning or community service hours.

Internship

Interning at DCTV gives students the opportunity to further develop professional and practical skills in various areas like production, editing, graphic design and information technology. DCTV’s internship program provides students with work experience that complements their education, while developing the skills needed to pursue employment in the media industry.

Customized Curriculum Development and Training

DCTV works with nonprofits to create customized training programs for organizations with youth groups.  DCTV designs specific activities to teach students how produce a project for the organization as they are learning media production and media literacy.  The product could be a short documentary, a public service announcement or any other media project designed by the nonprofit.

Youth Video Festival

Each year DCTV honors young producers in the DC metro area who are using visual media as a tool for education, civic engagement and creative expression.  DCTV acquires media projects created by youth all over DC, along with projects produced as a part of the Youth Training Institute, for a celebratory screening and awards ceremony.  The Youth Video Festival taps into the creative talent of our youth, giving them the opportunity to be appreciated for their efforts in using media to bring forth creative messages of DC youth.

For more information, please contact Jasmine White at
(202) 526-7007x105.