Black background. On the left one third of the page is a video camera in gray with a white hand on it. In the right two thirds in green it says Spotlight Shorts. There is a "spotlight" effect that highlights part of the words.

Applications are now open.

Spotlight Shorts is an exciting and empowering media arts program designed to support emerging artists who are passionate about their creative projects. This program serves as a stepping stone for individuals who are either actively working on a project or are in the idea phase of their project. Spotlight Shorts is ideal for folks with 1-3 years of media making experience and have worked on short documentaries or other media projects, but not necessarily longer docs. In this program we will spend time building cinematography skills, more advanced lighting, and editing with storytelling in mind. Participants will create a work-in-progress on their own short documentary (5-20 minutes) and work on two other members' documentaries. If you want more information or have questions email Theng.

Participants will:

  • Learn the Sony FX 3, lights and audio gear

  • Learn different crew positions and how to work as a team

  • Create a short documentary

  • Attend Monday night training and feedback sessions

  • Meet emerging artists when they come in to teach skills. 

  • Receive a stipend. 

Tentative Timeline:

  • Applications open June 1-July 4
  • Interviews July 15-18
  • The program will meet on Mondays from 6-9 July 29- December.

Spotlight Shorts is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

The Minnesota State Arts board logo and the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment logo