The PBS and Adobe Foundations today launched Project VoiceScape, a collaboration between Adobe Youth Voices, the Adobe Foundation's global signature philanthropy program, and PBS' POV, television's longest-running showcase for independent non-fiction films.
Project VoiceScape is aimed at encouraging middle and high school students nationwide to use digital media tools in creating compelling stories about issues and concerns important to them. Award-winning PBS series POV | American Documentary, recognized internationally for its rigorous editorial selection process of outstanding award-winning non-fiction films, will oversee a national call for entries on the POV website. Young filmmakers whose entries are chosen will receive funding to complete their films, mentoring from award-winning documentary filmmakers, and streaming of their films at POV's website.
To encourage the participation of educators and facilitate entries, the PBS Teachers website will act as a hub where educators can obtain advice from youth media experts on inspiring students to produce exciting and innovative content. Building on PBS' long standing relationship with teachers and the education community, the site will also provide access to Adobe Youth Voices Essentials, a set of free curricula and resources that will help educators launch, guide and sustain effective youth media programs.
Project VoiceScape will also provide select PBS member stations with funds to support student-created media, training from KQED's Digital Media Center, and a software donation from the Adobe Foundation. These stations will become part of the Adobe Youth Voices network, providing opportunities to showcase students' work and collaborate with other Adobe Youth Voices participants across the globe.
"We believe it's critical to arm young people with the creativity and technology skills to succeed in today's digital world," said Shantanu Narayen, Adobe president and CEO and Adobe Foundation board president. "We're proud that Adobe Youth Voices will help enable PBS to expand the development of youth-generated content and programming about issues relevant to youth."