High School Students to “Meet the Creatives” and Discover Career Pathways in Arts, Media, and Entertainment on Oct. 17 at UCR Palm Desert
OneFuture Coachella Valley and CDAC connect creative professionals with students and teachers across the region
Almost 200 high school juniors and seniors from the Coachella Valley’s three public school districts will meet creative professionals from around the region and learn about different careers in arts, media, and entertainment during a career pathways event Oct. 17 at UCR Palm Desert.
A collaborative program of the nonprofit organizations OneFuture Coachella Valley and California Desert Arts Council, “Meet the Creatives” kicks off with a motivational wind-up by CBS Local 2 weather anchor/reporter Kelley Moody before breaking into four specialty panels:
* Digital Storytelling & Photography
* Digital Design (graphic and game design and 3D animation)
* Creative & Other Writing
* Performing and Visual Arts
“This is an important opportunity for students interested in becoming creative professionals — artists, musicians, designers, dancers, actors, writers — and arts administrators,” says Christi Salamone, CEO of CDAC. “We want a robust, vital, and sustainable arts community that reflects the authentic qualities of our communities and attracts cultural tourism. To achieve this, we need an educated, professional, unified, and empowered creative community. We’re proud to partner with OneFuture Coachella Valley to introduce students to some of the best creative talent in the desert.”
Kim McNulty, OneFuture’s vice president for regional strategy, adds, “Our mission is to prepare all students for college, career, and life. We’re grateful to the professionals who give their valuable time to help us show students what’s possible for them — and how to achieve it.”
The professionals will also offer portfolio reviews, mock interviews, and a variety of interactive experiences, including aerial drone photography and more.
Creative professionals and arts administrators participating include:
| Laurie Baldwin, Palm Desert Chamber | Steven Biller, CA Desert Arts Council |
| Scott Burch, Scott Burch Design | Katy Carrier, Palm Springs Style |
| Luiz Castro, artist | Brittany Delany, CA Desert Arts Council |
| Maggie Downs, freelance writer | Jasmine Duran, CA Desert Arts Council |
| Lance Gerber, photographer | Denise Figueroa, The Desert Sun |
| Shivaun Manley Hinman | Kathleen Hughes, CA Desert Arts Council |
| Anndee Laskoe, Greater Palm Springs CVB | John McMullen, Stellar Networks |
| Jeff Miraglia, Greater Palm Springs CVB | Marnie Navarro, artist/educator |
| Sarah Day Owen, The Desert Sun | Adnan Pamukcu, OnTableMedia |
| Mary Perry, Desert Sands Unified Schools | Christi Salamone, CA Desert Arts Council |
| Graham Sutherland, GraSar | Brian Neil Hoff, PS Animation Festival |
| Levi Vincent, PS Talent |
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About California Desert Arts Council
The nonprofit California Desert Arts Council unifies, promotes, and empowers the arts and culture communities in the Coachella Valley region through its programs in cultural tourism, business and workforce development, and advocacy. Visit cadesertarts.org.
About OneFuture Coachella Valley
OneFuture Coachella Valley is a nonprofit career pipeline collaborative that engages more than 400 community partners to assure all Coachella Valley students graduate prepared for college, career, and life. Its team administers the annual selection and awarding of more than $1.4 million in scholarships and has been instrumental in creating a regional strategy for college and career success across all levels of education, business, and community. Visit www.onefuturecv.org.
About UCR Palm Desert Campus
Established as a teaching and research center, UCR Palm Desert is a catalyst for diversification of the inland desert region by providing relevant regional research, offering innovative graduate programs that attract and retain world class talent to the region, convening and creating partnerships that advance the public good, and impacting the cultural life of the community. Visit www.palmdesert.ucr.edu
