Youth Programs

Contact Youth Coordinator

Through our Media Internship Program you can learn:

  • Podcasting skills- youth learn the basics of audio production; microphones, mixers, etc. 

  • Adobe Premiere editing software- youth edit their podcasts and video projects in Adobe Premiere

  • Canva and/or Photoshop - youth create Zines and artwork to go with their podcasts 

  • Photography skills- youth learn basics of DSLRs to capture photos and video

  • Writing skills- youth use writing skills to write up synopsis of their podcast

  • Teaching skills- youth and interns often assist with workshops for other youth 

  • Videography skills- youth and interns learn production skills by working on small video pieces for partners or their own video work.

This program meets Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4-6pm. You must apply to be a part of this program. Reach out to Sabrina.

CREATECH:

Make your own movie! Create an animation! Explore photography, graphic design, or music production!

Createch SPNN is an open, drop-in media space where staff and mentors support youth in producing their own independent creative media projects. Our media lab is for youth to work on any media project they can dream up and offers access to a wide range of video, photo, and music equipment and software. We welcome youth ages 11-19 and all skill levels! Createch SPNN is part of the larger Createch initiative, which provides creative spaces and opportunities for youth at sites around Saint Paul.

This drop in space is open for any youth Wednesdays from 3:30-6:30. Reach out to Sabrina to let us know you are planning to attend!

What People Are Saying:

  • "When my colleague and I first started our school's podcast project, it started in a classroom, with one microphone, and an iPad. Through our partnership with SPNN, we have been able to create high quality products with staff who truly know what they are doing, and are warm and welcoming. The Fast Fashion Podcast project is a project we look forward to every year, and one that kids enjoy. This year, on a field trip to the facility, I heard a student who was using the cameras say, "I'm so good at this, they should pay me!" showing that SPNN not only helps youth continue their passions, but find new ones as well. SPNN is truly a place where art is made, and passions are found."

  • "We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with SPNN. Our students gain access to technologies, expertise and experiences that we cannot duplicate at our school. The podcast project we do with SPNN allows our students to use digital tools and media which helps them develop future college and workplace skills. More importantly, students learn how to use media to develop their voice in matters about which they are passionate and to develop personal agency. These outcomes are as valuable as the academic learning objectives of the podcast project for these underserved learners."

TOURS, CAMPS + WORKSHOPS

1-2 Hour Activities:

  • Duration-45-60 minutes 

    Learning objectives:

    Youth will learn how to be a newscaster, camera operator, and direct in the studio. Youth will be able to read a newscast on a teleprompter, operate the studio cameras, and be in the control to learn directing and audio.  

    Cost: $200 

    Maximum number of participants is 10 youth at a time. Can be paired with the photography or podcasting activity.

  • Duration: 45-60 minutes 

    Learning objectives:

    Youth will learn about shutter speed, shot composition, and how to use our Canon T4i and T5i DSLRs. They will participate in light painting and a photo scavenger hunt.

    Cost: $150 

    Maximum number of participants is 10 youth at a time. Can be paired with the studio activity or podcasting activity.

  • Duration- 45-60 minutes 

    Learning objectives:

    Youth will learn about effective storytelling and how to use audio gear.  They will then learn about microphones and be able to use microphones, headphones, and an audio recorder to practice interviewing each other.  

    Cost: $150 

    Maximum number of participants is 10 youth at a time. Can be paired with the studio activity or photography activity.

HALF DAY CAMPS:

  • Learning objectives: In groups of 3-5 youth will learn about PSAs and story construction and will write their own PSA. Youth will learn how to storyboard, learn our video cameras and shoot their PSA. Youth will learn Adobe Premiere and edit their PSA and screen it in our studio or youth lab. 

    Cost: $50 a youth

    Maximum number of participants is 25 youth.

  • Duration- 3-4 hours

    Learning objectives: In groups of 3-5 youth will learn about shot composition, lighting, angles, and how to operate a DSLR. They will then take the DSLR and capture shots and learn Photoshop to edit the photos. We will share the photos back at the end of the day. 

    Cost: $30 a youth

    Maximum number of participants is 20 youth.

  • Duration- 3-5 hours

    Learning objectives: In groups of 3-5 youth will learn about podcasting and story construction. They will write a short podcast, learn how to use audio gear, record their podcast and then edit it on Audacity. At the end we will have a listening session.

    Cost: $40 a youth

    Maximum number of participants is 20 youth.

Past Examples of Customized Training:

  • Meets four weeks for two hours each week

    Learning Objectives:

    • Shot types and composition

    • DSLR cameras

    • Audio recording and vooice over work

    • Editing Software including motion graphics

    Number of Participants- up to 10

    Cost: $2500

  • Meets four weeks for two hours each week

    Learning Objectives:

    • Understand the impact of Podcasts

    • Scriptwriting

    • Audio recording and voice over work

    • Audio editing software

    • Distribution platforms

    Number of Participants- up to 10

    Cost: $2500

Let’s make something amazing together! To schedule a tour or learn more about how you and your group can get involved, please email Sabrina!

FAQs

    • A youth serving non-profit

    • A church youth group

    • An educational institution

    • A girl scout/boy scout troop

    • Any youth group that wants to explore media making. 

  • We can definitely work with the amount of time your group has, but typically 1.5-2.5 hours or 5 hours for a day camp.  

  • An ideal group is 10-25 students. Let us know the size of your group and we will work with you to create the experience that will work best. If you have more than 30 students we can talk about doing them in a morning tour and afternoon tour.

    • Learn Photography Skills

    • Learn Podcasting

    • Use our studio to be a newscaster, operate a camera, or direct from the control room. 

    • Make a PSA

    • A five hour PSA camp is $40 a youth. 

    • A one or two hour event depends on the number of students and number and type of activities. It ranges from $150- $900

      • Ten students with one activity for an hour is typically $150-$250.

      • Twenty students with two activities for two hours is typically $400-$500

      • Thirty students with three activities for 2.5 hours is $800-$900

        *Studio activities are more because of the number of staff required to run the activity. 

  • Example for a group of 15-20 youth with two activities. The tour would last 90-120 minutes. The tour would cost $450.

    • The group will be split into two small groups. 

    • Each small group will spend 45-55 minutes in each activity

    Example for a group of 20-30 youth with three activities. The tour would last 2.5 hours. The tour would cost $800

    • The group will be split into thirds

    • Each small group will spend 40 minutes in each activity. 

    • A welcome to SPNN and introduction to the medium. For PSA camps we watch PSAs and analyze them, for the Podcasting workshop we listen to samples of podcasts and analyze them, for the Photography camp we look at photos. 

    • Youth learn storytelling skills and technical skills.

    • They put those skills into action and create media.

    • Break for lunch

    • They learn editing skills (Photoshop/Audition/ Premiere) and edit the media they created.

    • We share the media back as a group at the end of the day. We email out copies of the media as well.

  • SPNN offers 1-2 hour activities, and half-day camps. We also offer multi-week, project-based training in partnership with schools and youth organizations. Each curriculum is customized to your group’s interests and goals.

    We can accommodate almost any group size. Larger groups are divided into smaller ones so that every participant gets a chance to engage deeply with multiple activities during their visit.

    Our past collaborations include:

    • A podcasting project for 9th graders at Higher Ground Academy as part of their English and Economics classes

    • A livestreaming project with the Black Business and Technology Training Center (BBTTC) at The Capri in Minneapolis

    • A video poetry workshop with the Teen Tech Center at Hennepin County Library