A Case Study of Youth-Driven Media Arts Education
Program Overview
Be Loud Studios is a New Orleans-based nonprofit that empowers youth through media arts education, providing them with the tools, skills, and platforms to tell their own stories and advocate for positive change in their communities. Founded in 2012, the organization offers free after-school programs, in-school residencies, and summer intensives focused on video production, audio engineering, photography, and digital storytelling for young people aged 13-19.
Be Loud Studios operates from its media center in New Orleans, which houses professional-grade equipment including video cameras, audio recording facilities, editing suites, and a podcast studio. This accessible creative space serves as both a training ground and production facility where youth develop technical skills while exploring issues that matter to them.
The Need
New Orleans youth face significant challenges in accessing arts education, particularly in digital media. Public schools have limited resources for media arts programming, creating inequitable access to these increasingly essential skills. Meanwhile, mainstream media representations of New Orleans youth—particularly young people of color—often perpetuate harmful stereotypes rather than reflecting their authentic experiences, ideas, and aspirations.
Additionally, many young people lack platforms to address issues affecting their communities, from environmental justice to educational equity. The combination of limited access to media education and few outlets for youth voices creates barriers to both career development and civic engagement.
Program Approach
Be Loud Studios' model includes multiple program components:
- After-School Studios: Weekly sessions where youth develop skills in video production, audio recording, photography, and digital storytelling
- School Residencies: Teaching artists bringing media education directly into classrooms, connecting with academic curriculum
- Summer Intensives: Multi-week immersive programs focused on specific media forms and social issues
- Youth Media Collective: Advanced program for alumni who lead campaigns and mentor newer participants
- Public Exhibitions: Community screenings, installations, and events showcasing youth work
- Distribution Partnerships: Relationships with media platforms to amplify youth-produced content
- Technical Workforce Development: Industry-standard equipment training and professional certification opportunities
All programs incorporate both technical skills development and critical media literacy, helping participants analyze how media shapes perceptions while gaining the tools to create their own counter-narratives.
Distinctive Elements
Be Loud Studios stands out for its youth-driven approach to both content and organizational decision-making. Rather than adults determining program topics or content, participants identify the issues they want to explore and the stories they want to tell. The organization's Youth Advisory Board provides meaningful input on programming decisions, while graduated leadership opportunities allow returning participants to take on increased responsibility.
Another distinctive feature is Be Loud's commitment to connecting youth media production to tangible community change. Projects often include action components—whether advocating for policy changes, educating community members, or documenting grassroots initiatives. This approach positions media not just as creative expression but as a tool for civic engagement and social change.
Results & Impact
Be Loud Studios has demonstrated measurable impact across multiple dimensions:
Participant Engagement and Growth:
- Serves approximately 350 youth annually through all programs
- 85% program completion rate across all offerings
- 70% of participants return for additional programs
- Participants show significant gains in technical skills, critical thinking, and self-efficacy
Media Production Outcomes:
- Youth have produced over 200 short films, 150 podcasts, and numerous photography exhibitions
- Youth-created content has been featured in 25+ film festivals and media platforms
- Projects have addressed issues including environmental justice, educational equity, mental health, and youth criminalization
Educational and Career Pathways:
- 90% of high school seniors in the program graduate on time
- 75% pursue higher education or career training after graduation
- Alumni have secured jobs and internships at local media companies, marketing firms, and community organizations
- Several alumni have started their own media companies or freelance practices
Community Impact:
- Youth-led campaigns have contributed to policy changes in school discipline practices and environmental regulations
- Public screenings and exhibitions reach approximately 5,000 community members annually
- Youth-produced content has been used in teacher training, community organizing, and public education
According to Be Loud Studios' 2023 Annual Report, Executive Director Abe Felix noted: "When young people have the tools to tell their own stories, they don't just develop technical skills—they discover their power to shape narratives about themselves, their communities, and the issues that matter most to them. The impact extends far beyond the individual, creating ripples of change throughout the community as youth voices reach new audiences and influence public understanding."
Key Success Factors
Several elements contribute to Be Loud Studios' effectiveness:
- Youth Leadership at Multiple Levels: From content decisions to organizational governance, youth voice is central
- Professional-Grade Resources: Access to industry-standard equipment and facilities removes barriers to quality production
- Community Partnerships: Collaborations with schools, community organizations, and media platforms extend reach and impact
- Scaffolded Skill Development: Progression from basic skills to advanced production through multiple program levels
- Social Justice Framework: Consistent focus on media as a tool for addressing community issues and advocating for change
- Career Connections: Pathways to media industry opportunities through internships and professional development
- Long-Term Relationships: Opportunities for alumni to stay connected as mentors, teaching assistants, and staff
The organization's success also stems from its ability to balance youth autonomy with adult mentorship, providing guidance while ensuring that young people maintain ownership of their creative work and advocacy.
Program Spotlight: Environmental Justice Media Project
One of Be Loud Studios' signature initiatives is its Environmental Justice Media Project, which illustrates the organization's approach to combining media education with community impact. This project engages youth from neighborhoods facing environmental hazards in documenting conditions, investigating causes, and advocating for solutions.
Participants in this program have:
- Created a documentary series on industrial pollution in New Orleans East that was screened for city council members and environmental regulators
- Developed a podcast exploring the intersection of flood risk, infrastructure, and racial equity
- Produced a photography exhibition documenting the impacts of extreme heat in urban neighborhoods with limited green space
- Created digital storytelling pieces featuring community elders discussing environmental changes they've witnessed over decades
These productions not only developed participants' technical abilities but also positioned them as important voices in community conversations about environmental policy. The project exemplifies Be Loud Studios' approach to making media education relevant to young people's lived experiences while connecting creative expression to concrete change.
Evolution and Next Steps
Be Loud Studios continues to evolve its programming in response to emerging needs and opportunities. Recent developments include:
- Digital Distribution Expansion: Creating more platforms for youth media to reach broader audiences
- Technical Certification Pathway: Formalizing industry credentials for advanced participants
- Alumni Network Development: Strengthening connections and creating opportunities for program graduates
- Cross-Generational Documentary Projects: Connecting youth with elders to preserve community stories
- Mobile Media Lab: Bringing equipment and training to neighborhoods with transportation barriers
These initiatives reflect the organization's commitment to both deepening impact and extending reach, ensuring that more young people have opportunities to develop media skills while amplifying their voices on issues that matter to their communities.
This case study was developed based on information from Be Loud Studios' website, annual reports, and publicly available information about the organization's programs and impact.