Our Impact

Since 2001, Outside The Lens has reached more than 27,000 youth, providing high-quality media arts education that meets California’s Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) learning standards, National Core Arts Standards, and core curriculum requirements.

Our in-school programs integrate media arts with core subjects, enhancing academic engagement and creative expression. Additionally, our out-of-school time and extended learning programs offer youth a safe and stimulating environment to explore media arts, develop technical skills, and build confidence and creativity.

27,000+

Youth Served

Schools & Community Sites Served

20+

Years of Service

Hear From The Youth We Serve

“Outside The Lens helped combine my passion for dance with photography and empowered me to tell stories that matter. I learned to capture the beauty of movement and discovered the power of storytelling using my camera. My creative future really opened up, after spending time with artists and professionals with OTL.”

–Geena

Geena, a former Youth Council member, went on to study design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles. Her skills learned at OTL have earned her the title of finalist three-years running in the prestigious Pas de Deux photo competition, showcasing her ability to capture movement and convey motion using photography.

“The staff truly care about the participants and it shows. Kaedyn has learned so much through Media Makers, building skills not only in animation, but socially too. She’s speaking up more and taking on leadership roles she wouldn’t have before. She’s extremely talented and the staff nurtured that, helping her grow. I’m grateful for the safe environment where Kaedyn can be herself without judgment, exploring creative experiences she wouldn’t otherwise. The communication between staff and parents is outstanding.”

–Alison Carmon, parent

Here’s How We Reach The San Diego Community.

Community Engagement

More than 225 community members attended Voice Out: A Youth Media Arts Exhibition, showcasing the power of youth voices and perspectives.

Program Reach

OTL’s programs served 2,439 students in 2023, across 37 sites (schools, community centers, and partners).

Cumulative Impact

More than 27,000 students have been served by OTL’s programs since its inception.

Creative Showcases

OTL hosted 40+ design jams, showcases, and exhibitions in 2023, highlighting youth creativity and talent.

Teacher Training

OTL provided training and support for 100+ teachers in 2023, enabling them to integrate media arts and storytelling into their curriculum–expanding reach to even more students.

Media Makers’ Reach

OTL’s Media Makers program, which launched in 2021, has served more than 80 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Approximately 160 students and 6 educators built their confidence and technical skills learning Adobe Creative Suite.

See How We Engage with Our Community

Neighborhood Narratives: Sherman Storytellers Learn Filmmaking

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a vibrant Mexican tradition that pays tribute to loved ones who have passed away. It’s a time for families to come together, share stories, and celebrate the lives of those who are no longer with us through altars, food, and art.

We are proud to spotlight our partnership with the Sherman Heights Community Center (SHCC) as it celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024! OTL and SHCC have been collaborating on projects that highlight Mexican-American culture since 2017. Sherman Storytellers provided an opportunity for young artists to preserve the collective memory and identity of the people of Sherman Heights. Using photography and documentary film techniques, youth created visual vignettes that capture the ways community members of all ages embrace and enact the cultural traditions of Día de los Muertos.

Daniela Kelly, Executive Director of SHCC, emphasized the importance of Sherman Storytellers, “Our community has always preserved itself by using art as an avenue towards empowerment and collaboration. Through their work with Outside The Lens, our youth learn critical tools for self-expression and cultivating cultural pride.”

We Inspire Young People to Find Their Voice, Tell Their Stories, and Connect with Their Communities.

At Outside The Lens, we are committed to igniting confidence in young people to pursue creative pathways and drive social change through the transformative power of media arts. We foster growth and development across three key impact areas:

Creative Confidence

Young people cultivate socio-emotional skills, resilience, and confidence through creative expression, preparing them to navigate challenges and build a strong sense of self.

Economic Mobility

As they develop essential media arts and media literacy skills, participants access educational and career pathways, equipping them for success in the creative economy and beyond.

Social Impact

Empowered with confidence and artistic skills, young people leverage their unique voices to create positive social change in their communities.

Be a Champion for San Diego’s Youth.

At Outside The Lens, we believe that media arts can serve as a transformative force in the lives of young people and their communities.

Join us in creating a future where every young person has the opportunity to harness their creativity and drive positive social change through the power of media arts.

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