SUSCRIBE

AIM Youth Journalism Initiative

AIM believes that Arlington’s youth have incredibly important and valuable perspectives on the world that deserve to be heard. We’re looking for a diverse, motivated group of high school students to help us build a brand new program that will get teenagers out into our community, asking questions, making connections with the wider world, telling the stories that matter most to them, and publishing their work. Here’s how to get involved…

Monthly Journalism Club (Free)

Think of this club as your entry point into the world of journalism and media. Get together with other students in Arlington to share your ideas and works in progress, and participate in workshops on finding stories, interviewing, podcasting, mobile video production, fact checking, editing, journalism ethics, and more! Further down the road, we hope to offer Q&As with working journalists and site visits to places like NPR and the Washington Post. All Arlington students ages 14-19 are invited. No journalism experience needed, newcomers welcome. Meetings are typically held one Friday afternoon per month during the school year. If you’d like to join us, reach out to [email protected].

Journalism and Multimedia Production Intensives (free)

For students ready to jump in with two feet, our intensive programs will give you real-world, hands-on experience making local media. Come ready with a few story ideas, and we’ll give you the training and support to help you produce a short nonfiction multimedia piece. These programs, offered a couple times per year (typically in the fall/spring/summer) are rigorous and require a minimum of a 10-15 hr/wk commitment, about half of which will be spent on site at AIM’s Green Valley location. Teens are expected to work both independently and collaboratively with peers, and to be on the hunt for stories and issues in their community and the world around them.

What You’ll Get:

Students who give it their all will leave the program with media pieces for their portfolio, a cool experience on their resume, community service hours (if needed), a reference/letter of recommendation for future opportunities, and all sorts of cool new connections in their local community.

Eligibility Requirements:

● Youth ages 14-19 who live in Arlington

● By application only

● Interest in news media (online, audio, video) and local issues and stories. Journalism or media experience not required

● Able to meet in person for all classes throughout the program at the Arlington Cultural Affairs Building (Green Valley)

● We are specifically looking to build a diverse fellowship cohort that represents ALL of Arlington. We encourage teens of all backgrounds, identities, genders, and cultures to apply. (We define diversity broadly–think language/cultural/racial diversity, but also economic diversity, gender and neurodiversity, or even an unconventional life experience.) Special priority will be given to students from communities who have historically been underserved or underrepresented by mainstream media, who speak a language other than English at home, or whose families were displaced from Green Valley or Halls Hill

● A number of stipends are available to students for whom payment would remove a financial barrier to participation. If you;d like to learn more about that, please don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected].

Weekly Editorial Meeting: The Arlington Amp

Successful graduates of the YJI Intensive programs are invited to pitch stories to The Arlington Amp, AIM’s new student-led multimedia hub for local news,* and to be paid for their published work. Editorial meetings typically take place on Fridays from 4:30-6:30. If you’d like to learn more or sit in with us, please reach out to [email protected].

*Our new website is coming soon. For now, check out our work by subscribing to The Arlington Amp podcast or following AIM’s Youtube channel.

Questions, pitches, or just want to chat? Email [email protected].

About

AIM supports, educates, and inspires diverse creators and fosters independent media production through community television, radio, and digital arts. 

Twitter Facebook-f Youtube Instagram

Information

2701-C Wilson Boulevard, Arlington VA 22201
phone: 703-524-2388

email: [email protected]

Links