Hollywood Media Arts Academy

In 1997, Hollywood Entertainment Museum (HEM) opened the Education Center for the Entertainment Arts in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) the Los Angeles County Probation Department. Students, all high-at-risk youth, many on probation, were given a unique opportunity to attend a fully accredited year-round high school and after-school program comprised of entertainment and art electives, using state of the art technology taught by industry professionals dedicated to making a difference in students’ lives.

July 2009, LACOE and HEM opened the Hollywood Media Arts Academy, former headquarters of Fuji Film, in the heart of Hollywood’s Media District with recruitment supported by Los Angeles County Probation Department and LAUSD. The year-round high school serves up to 75 high at-risk high school youth, receiving core curriculum during the day provided by LACOE and after-school instruction in the media arts by HEM. Teachers work together to integrate the comprehensive program tailoring instruction to the needs of each youth by providing enriched experiences through project-based learning.

Addressing a citywide need to provide an option to youth who do not fit into the large traditional high school campus, ending up as high school dropout statistics, the Academy provides the small and safe learning environment where students find their voice and a positive alternative for expression.

The Academy is modeled after the highly successful Museum program that operated for nine years on Hollywood Blvd., where 87% of the probation students and high school dropouts served graduated high school and went on to higher education and employment.  Strategically located in the recently revitalized Media District, the program trains a diverse student population for positions crucial to the entertainment industry engaging adjacent employers as community partners.

Youth who are high school dropouts; on probation; in gangs; on drugs; and participate in other delinquent behavior are transformed by this unique approach of using the entertainment arts while providing a safe and neutral creative environment.

The program impacts the community by motivating these students to graduate high school, pursue higher education and employment becoming productive citizens that are an asset to society.