Magic Box media arts programs have reached thousands of students, families and teachers in the greater New York city area, providing access to new technologies and opportunities for creative expression. Our arts-in-education video and photo projects are tailored specifically for each school, offering educators the unique opportunity to develop a project that reflects their needs and goals. Our programs incorporate technology, the arts, and academics.

Here is a list of our most popular photography and video programs:

The Photography Residency introduces students to the basic concepts, techniques and terminologies of photography, culminating in a final Gallery Exhibition.

The Family Photography Workshop introduces parents and children to photography through classroom instruction, as well as "Community Walks" to capture unique portraits and landscapes in their neighborhoods.

Abstract Animation focuses on shape, movement, and sound to generate an abstract video composition. Students work individually and collaboratively to use color, shape, sound and motion to express ideas and emotion.

Talking Picture Books: Literacy, Language, and Animation explores language, visual arts and technology through the creation of original collage and stop-motion animated videos, based on books in the curriculum.

Thaumatrope: The Spinning Wonder teaches students basic concepts of animation through the creation of a thaumatrope-- a small disc, with an image drawn on each side, and held on both sides by a string. When a student spins the disc, the images superimpose to create a moving image.

Documentary Production introduces students to non-fiction visual narrative through the making of a short documentary. Students develop skills in digital video production and editing, as well as research, visual and verbal communication, and narrative development.

Documentary Video and Editing Workshop: Public Service Announcements allows students to practice screenwriting, digital video production and editing by creating a public service announcement around one of their school's core values.

Web Documentary participants work with a Teaching Artist to create and upload an online documentary containing some or all of the following: video, music, interviews, and blogs.

Magic Box also offers media arts professional development workshops for educators, artists,  and other professionals. Clients have included the Center for Arts Education, Western New York Regional Leadership Network, and many others.  

Photography in the Classroom
Video Production in the Classroom
Intro to Video Assessment for Performing Arts
Nonlinear Editing: The Next Step of Video Production

Our Executive Director Nelle Stokes is an award-winning documentary film- and video-maker, as well as a master teaching artist with more than ten years of experience. Our growing staff of teaching artists are both educators and practicing videographers and photographers. Programs can be created or customized to meet your specific needs or curriculum.