June 18, 2024, marked a transformative day in Outside The Lens history. What began as an ordinary Wednesday morning at our Wonder Lab in East Village evolved into an extraordinary celebration of community recognition and partnership. Janet Barragan, Chief Regional Community Coordinator at the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors office, presented OTL Executive Director Sarah Beckman with an official proclamation that not only declared June 18th as “Outside The Lens Day” but also welcomed us into the prestigious Live Well San Diego partner network.
The proclamation, delivered on behalf of Supervisors Monica Montgomery Steppe, Joel Anderson, Terra Lawson-Remer, and Jim Desmond, represents far more than ceremonial recognition. It acknowledges our 24-year commitment to empowering youth through media arts education and positions OTL among 500+ organizations working collectively to realize the Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities.
Since our founding in 2001, Outside the Lens has served over 27,000 young people across San Diego County. These students haven’t simply learned to operate cameras or edit videos—they’ve discovered their voices, developed critical thinking skills, and emerged as changemakers ready to document and drive social transformation. Our programs create pathways for youth to explore creative careers, advocate for community change, and share stories that might otherwise go untold.
Live Well San Diego represents a comprehensive regional vision that aligns perfectly with OTL’s mission. The initiative recognizes that community wellbeing extends beyond traditional health metrics to encompass education, economic opportunity, and civic engagement—all areas where youth media arts education creates profound impact. When young people learn to tell their stories through photography and film, they develop confidence, connect with their communities, and contribute to the broader narrative of San Diego’s future.
This partnership amplifies our ability to serve youth across all San Diego communities, particularly those who have been historically underrepresented in media and creative industries. As an official Live Well partner, we gain access to a robust network of organizations, resources, and collaborative opportunities that will enhance our programming and extend our reach. The partnership also validates what we’ve long known: media arts education is essential infrastructure for healthy communities. Through this partnership, we teach technical skills while fostering a generation of visual storytellers equipped to address community challenges, celebrate cultural richness, and envision new possibilities for San Diego’s future.
Looking ahead, this designation energizes our commitment to expand programming, deepen community partnerships, and ensure every young person in San Diego County has access to transformative media arts education. The proclamation of Outside The Lens Day serves as an annual reminder of our collective responsibility to invest in youth voices and creative expression as catalysts for community wellbeing.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the County Supervisors, Janet Barragan, and the entire Live Well San Diego network for recognizing the vital role of youth media arts in building stronger, more vibrant communities. Together, we’re creating a San Diego where every young person can share their story, express their vision, and change the world.
