Thinking Outside the Classroom

One Semester Could Change Your Life

Creativity Labs Academy is a training, mentoring, and leadership development program for gifted creatives in their teens and twenties. Our vision is to help emerging creatives focus their passions, talents, and skills in the direction of their life’s work.

To get a job you need experience. But how do you get experience without a job? Welcome to Academy.

Creativity Labs Academy is a stepping stone. The professional skills you develop make you marketable and desirable for internship, a job as a creative, and even starting your own small business.

Unit 1: Photography

Most forms of communication benefit from good photographs. Everyone can take a photo these days, but good photos make a big difference in getting the right message across. Students will learn to make good photographs. Bring the best camera you have (DSLR preferred).

• Camera Basics: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, lenses, composition
• Adobe Lightroom
• Working with Light
• Portraits, Landscapes, Events, Products
• Spotlight: Ansel Adams, photographer

Unit 2: Storytelling

Marketing is a form of storytelling. If you do it well, the company you are communicating for will grow. Students will learn how to tell great stories.

• Elements of story
• Building empathy
• Character development
• Spotlight: Ira Glass, This American Life

Unit 3: Music & Audio

It’s half of a video, yet many young videographers have no idea how to get good sound. Students will learn how to use music and audio production skills to enhance their creative projects.

• Music and emotion
• Mixers and microphones
• Audio editing
• Filters and effects
• Spotlight: Jad Abumrad, Radiolab

Project

Students will create an original story using their own photos and audio.

Part 2: Coaching/Mentoring

5 Sessions Per Semester

Students meet individually with a coach & mentor. Students apply the lessons from the workshop in their individual and team work. Students help set the agenda as they bring their own questions, goals, and challenges to each session for further discovery and learning. The coach provides support, challenge, and insight into each creative’s journey, paying special attention to their unique talents and strengths. The accountability and encouragement ensure that students make great progress toward their goals.

Schedule

7–9pm on Monday nights
January 12–April 13, 2015
One Monday per month will be dedicated to project work.
Final presentations will be given on April 13, 2015.

Mentors

Ken Kinard, MM, CPCC, is a professional and life coach for entrepreneurs and creatives. He also is the founder and chief creative officer at Accent Interactive, a small creative agency in Hunt Valley, Maryland. He is a former professor of music composition and Great Books (Torrey Honors Institute) at Biola University in Los Angeles, California. For more information, see www.kenkinard.com.

He and his wife, Jennifer, homeschool four young creatives of their own and can be seen making sure they don’t climb too high in a tree or blow the place up with their “creative” ideas.

Stretch and Grow

Creativity Labs Academy is not designed to be easy, but it is valuable. You will grow and stretch beyond what you thought you could, and have fun at the same time.

“I have seen Ken’s passion for inspiring the creative potential in young people. The Creative Academy combines mentoring with full access to the technology and professional environment of the Accent Studio offering a learning lab like no other. We have also found Academy experience provides a valuable bridge between high school and college.” —Angie, Homeschool mother of four