Avid Learning Collective will promote inclusive audiovisual projects

Avid and the Avid Community Association (ACA) launch Avid Learning Collective, a program that will provide audiovisual content creation technologies to non-profit educational organizations.

Avid Learning Collective will welcome every year six educational organizations and initiatives that demonstrate the intent and ability to influence the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion through student progress. For a period of three years, these beneficiaries will enjoy membership in the global program Avid Learning Partner, which provides licenses for Avid creative tools, training for teachers, and course materials for students. Likewise, the technology firm will provide contact networks among peers and professionals to cultivate visibility, mentorship, and job opportunities for students. This year, Avid and the ACA have decided to recognize initiatives driven by Boston Arts Academy, Ghetto Film School, Girls Make Beats, Immersive & Inclusive Audio Institute, MAMA Youth Project y The Last Mile.

The call for applications for the 2022 Avid Learning Collective Program Awards is now open. open until February 15, 2022. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of music, film and television professionals who serve on ACA's executive board, as well as Avid employees. Award winners will be announced in late spring 2022.

Bryan Castle, director of learning alliances at Avid, elaborates on this initiative: "The Avid Learning Collective is the result of our continued collaboration and exploration with truly passionate educators and media professionals from around the world who want to make the media industry more diverse and versatile. We are delighted to go live today and to have more eyes on the new opportunities we present to elevate organizations that show disadvantaged people that they can become powerful narrators.”

At the same time, Helen Killeen, Production Director of Non-Scripted UK, ITV Studios, and Executive Board Vice Chair of the Avid Community Association, said: "Our profession can do so much more to think innovatively and ensure opportunities reach the people and communities helped by the extraordinary participants of the Avid Learning Collective. It's exciting to see how quickly this program will bring together the care and influence of my colleagues to expose the talents of creative people whose ambitions and experiences go unnoticed."