Arts First Filmmaking Programs
Arts First is dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality fine art education across Tacoma, with a significant focus on empowering youth and adults through the art of filmmaking. Below are our core filmmaking offerings:
1. Arts First Afterschool Filmmaking Club @ Salishan Family Investment Center (FIC) (Free)
This free afterschool program is the result of a crucial partnership between Arts First and the Tacoma Housing Authority, designed to foster a safe, nurturing, and creative space for local youth aged 12 to 18. The club serves as an essential creative outlet where participants can dive deep into the fundamentals of filmmaking. Students learn practical skills while developing their unique voices as storytellers. The weekly commitment meets every Friday, with the program running consistently from the end of January through the end of May, aligning with the school year calendar to provide reliable, ongoing arts enrichment.
2. Open Studio Filmmaking for Adults (18+) (Free)
The Free Open Studio Filmmaking Class is a cornerstone of our community outreach, offering a unique, no-barrier-to-entry opportunity for adults aged 18 and over. People of all backgrounds, from complete novices to seasoned creators, are invited to explore the entire cinematic process in a supportive, inclusive, and genuinely creative environment. This hands-on course demystifies filmmaking, covering everything from concept development and scripting to cinematography, detailed editing, and final production. The program is intentionally accessible and community-focused, offered year-round across four distinct seasonal sessions (Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring). Each session is structured with 3–5 engaging class meetings, providing participants with consistent access to professional filmmaking equipment and personalized instruction aimed at helping them bring their personal narratives to life.
3. Arts First Middle School Film Club (Club-B)
Demonstrating our deep commitment to K-12 arts equity, the Arts First Middle School Film Club (Club-B) brings specialized, fine art filmmaking education directly into the local school system. This initiative is made possible through vital collaborations with Greentrike, the YMCA, Parks Tacoma, the Boys and Girls Club, Tacoma Public Schools, and Tacoma Create. Annually, our dedicated teaching artists visit 6 to 9 middle schools across the Tacoma area, including (but not limited to) First Creek, Stewart, Mason, Hunt, Baker, Truman, Giaudrone, Gray, and Hilltop Heritage. This intensive, 8-week afterschool program ensures that critical opportunities for creative expression and technical skill-building are provided to students who might not otherwise have access to this type of specialized instruction.
4. Arts First Youth Summer Film Camp (Free)
Designed to provide enriching and engaging activities during the warmer months, Arts First proudly offers a free, five-week Youth Summer Film Camp. This immersive experience runs throughout July and August, allowing young people to dedicate focused time to their creative projects. The camp schedule is set for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Registration for this highly popular program typically opens in May, so interested families are encouraged to watch our website and mailing list for the official announcement to secure a spot for their young filmmaker.
To inquire about partnership to bring arts to your community please contact us at info@artsfirst.org.