Austin School of Film

MISSION
Motion Media Arts Center is a 501c(3) non-profit independent film, art, and technology center that supports every aspect of production from idea to distribution. Our goal is to educate, train, and develop emerging artists of all ages to be active participants in shaping our culture. We are dedicated to the belief that film, art and technology can be and are financially accessible art forms both in and outside of the classroom. Our programs include Austin School of Film and Austin Cinemaker Space.



HISTORY
Motion Media Arts Center was formed in 2002 by combining Austin Cinemaker Co-op and Center for Young Cinema (CYC). Austin Cinemaker Co-op was formed in 1996, came to be recognized as an outstanding filmmaking resource center, and featured original members like Guillermo Del Toro and Lee Daniel. CYC founded in 1999 as the first year round film school for children under the age of 18 in the Southwest. In 2001, CYC was named one of the top ten film schools in the country by HBO Family. The combined histories of these two award-winning groups formed an indelible foundation for Motion Media Art Center.

In 2004, Motion Media Arts Center launched education programming for all ages through the Austin School of Film. Since 2005, we have hosted over 5,000 classes, workshops, screenings and events serving over 50,000 community members directly, and continuing to grow.

In early 2016, Motion Media Motion Media Arts Center announced the opening of Austin Cinemaker Space, a sister program to the Austin School of Film. Austin Cinemaker Space merges media arts education and community while create a fostering more active learning environment serving as a reflection of the changing norms in educational and creative environments in arts + tech for the Austin Community. Austin Cinemaker Space is an artful creative hub providing a co-working makerspace and membership program. Later in 2016, Motion Media Arts Center announced a fruitful partnership with Studium, a fellow non-profit arts + education organization. Both non-profits will collaborate and bring together resources, education and accessibility to the community under one roof in East Austin starting in September of 2016.

WHAT WE DO
We currently offer a membership program, private art studios, communal workspace, production & equipment rentals, production space and more. Austin School of Film programs span the entire spectrum of media arts + technology. We support local artists and creators in the development of their future education and creative skills through currently offering 500 classes and programs and in the creation, presentation and promotion of work through artist/community events and showcases. We celebrate cultural diversity to give voice to and bring together communities across the region’s demographic landscape through our outreach programs such as Cine Joven: Filmmaking in Spanish. 95% of works completed at or through us have been exhibited in regional, national, and international showcases.



WHY CHOOSE US?
Whether you are a student, artist, freelancer, or professional looking for education, creative space and access to resources and tools within digital arts & technology industry, Motion Media Arts Center is here for you. We provide affordable classes and certificate programs designed to meet the ever evolving demands of the creative job market and digital arts industry and a place to learn, work and create.

Our educational curriculum is based around hands-on course and workshops taught by digital arts and tech industry professionals and includes the very skills training employees need to work in the field and continue on their career paths and our co-working makerspace hub provides community members of all ages with a place to create, learn, work, and get inspired while having access to tools, programs and resources. We will work with any budget and offer scholarships to those who qualify and work/trade options through our internship program and are a dedicated to the belief that film and media arts can be--and is--a financially accessible art form both in and outside of the classroom.



Since 2003, we ensure the success of students and members through:

Accessible Membership Program
Small class sizes
Instructors with professional experience who currently work within their respective fields to provide practical training and education
Industry standard courses and software ex. Apple Certified Training Center, Adobe Certified classes -Scholarships, Payment Plans and Pay-as-you-go
Community Workspace
iMac Lab
Art Studios Rentals & Production Space
Co-working area to learn, work and create with likeminded individuals
Private lessons to fit your schedule and budget
Artist Exhibits & Screenings
Film Appreciation classes in Super 8 & 16MM, experimental, handmade and abstract.
Certificate Programs
Workforce Training
....and much more!



We train a variety of from companies and local businesses such as: Dell, Disney, Action Figure, Voodoo Cowboy, City of Austin-Channel 6, Keller Williams Realty, Seton Hospital, City of Laredo, Pflugerville ISD, Eanes ISD, First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood, Whole Foods (Austin), Austin Public Library, and Quest Ambulance Inc (McAllen, Texas).