Current CalArts students and graduates from the class of 2020 can gain creative industry experience through .movtogether, a new virtual pilot mentorship program created in collaboration between CalArts, .movtogether, and the California Department of Education.
Launching in 2021, .movtogether is an industry initiative created by several of the world’s leading design studios and agencies seeking to form connections and give back in times of crisis. Through its crossdisciplinary coalition of designers, animators, educators, and directors, .movtogether pairs emerging and underrepresented talent with industry professionals in order to “create a new, positive way forward in the industry.” The virtual collaboration with the Institute and the California Department of Education forges new professional pathways for 27 participating CalArtians.
“With an eye toward creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the real world, this program is designed to create pathways for traditionally underrepresented students into the entertainment industry,” said Bailey Cool, director of The Patty Disney Center for Life and Work at CalArts. “Our hope is that this program is one of many ways our students of color can find a sense of belonging, empowerment, and opportunity in the creative economy.”
The four-part, six month pilot program launched April 9 and will run through October 2021. Participating CalArtians are paired with agencies, brands, or studios that align with their individual interests, and will take part in the following throughout the course of the program:
- One-on-one mentorship and creative coaching;
- Exclusive weekly interactive workshops and events led by industry leaders (industry-specific);
- Resume/reel/portfolio building; and
- Potential internship or apprenticeship placement upon program completion.
Additionally, upon the program’s completion, participants will showcase their hands-on final projects that feature their firsthand industry experience.
The Institute’s partnership with .movtogether came about through and with Pipelines, a mobile application connecting leading creative, technology, and entertainment companies with underrepresented talent.
“Shari Holly from Pipelines was introduced to me by Veronica Alvarez, the Wallis Annenberg Director of the CalArts Community Arts Partnership after they met through the California State University Entertainment Alliance (CSUEA),” said Cool. “Shari was working with industry executives to build this program and was interested in working with a diverse school of art and design as the pilot partner institution.”
.movtogether’s other current education partners are Pratt Institute in New York and the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia.