Outside the Lens

We engage youth facing systemic disadvantages, and amplify their voices through photography, film, and digital media—catalyzing change in themselves, their communities, and beyond.

Outside the Lens (OTL) is an arts education nonprofit, focused on creative youth development. For more than 20 years, OTL has worked with over 23,000 students who represent economically and culturally diverse neighborhoods across San Diego County.

WHO WE WORK WITH

A majority of our participants are K-12 students from Title I schools. Many speak English as a second language, and some are individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We work with refugees and recent immigrants, children of military families, youth engaged in the justice system, and foster youth. Our partners include San Diego Unified School District, Juvenile Court and Community Schools, Migrant Education Program, and the National Conflict and Resolution Center. 

WHAT WE'RE KNOWN FOR

OTL's Artist Educators create custom curriculum that integrates media arts and technology into California Content Standards and California Media Arts Standards to engage youth facing systemic disadvantages. Students are provided opportunities to express their unique perspectives and connect their experiences to the subjects they study (Science! Math! History! Language Arts!) using photography, film, animation and more. 

With Outside the Lens, students build confidence and critical thinking skills alongside technical skills.

San Diego Media Makers inspires and nurtures individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to express their place and purpose in the world through media arts. Participants receive comprehensive training in 21st-century digital media, filmmaking, and photography as well as pathways to employment via mentorships, paid internships, and professional learning opportunities. The program takes place at OTL's Wonder Lab, an inclusive + transformative film and media studio.

Cameras in the Classroom partners teaching artists with K-12 students across San Diego County to develop media literacy, leadership, and pro-social skills through visual and digital media arts and technology. Rigorous, project-based curriculum promotes student engagement and collaboration in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM subjects) as well as social science and English Language Arts. Curriculum is aligned with California Common Core, California Visual and Performing Arts standards (VAPA), National Core standards in visual and media arts, and Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways.

Cameras in Communities is an after-school program that explores student identity, place, community, and storytelling while supporting education, digital skill building, communication, and language development. Projects are self-reflective and follow Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Pedagogy (CLRP) approaches and strategies while aligning with visual arts and ELA standards. Community building activities include intergenerational projects, film screenings and festivals, workshops, camps, and artist residencies.

Teen Programming provides high school aged and transitional-aged youth with hands-on industry-level experience in photography, film and digital media. Building skills in critical thinking, creative problem solving, and digital literacy, students are exposed to career pathways into San Diego's creative, tech, and STEAM economies. Unique programs and paid internships offer youth opportunities to explore how their interests, academics, and skills transition into the workforce and beyond. Clubs include Youth Council, a digital media arts and college/career readiness program for 8th-12th graders, Youth Tellers, an international community of youth who strive to make their voices heard through media arts content and a monthly podcast, Voice of Youth, and Leadership Through the Lens, in partnership with UCSD Extension, which earns students college credit while learning photography as a tool for social justice.