Arts, Media, and Entertainment Industry Sector

The Arts, Media, and Entertainment Industry Sector prepares students to join the global workforce and become the creative communications leaders for the 21st century.

Description

The California Department of Education (CDE) established the Arts, Media, and Entertainment (AME) industry sector to support high school students interested in pursuing careers in California’s thriving creative workforce. AME programs align with California Career Technical Education (CTE) Model Curriculum Standards which define the knowledge, skills, and practical experience students should have to pursue their chosen profession through post-secondary, professional skills training, and/or apprenticeship training. AME programs build on traditional arts programs to include a comprehensive career readiness component. In 2019, the sector has grown to serve 231,000 students and is the largest CTE sector in the state of California.

Arts, Media, and Entertainment Industry Program Summary

The California Department of Education’s (CDE) Arts, Media, and Entertainment (AME) industry sector supports high quality Career Technical Education (CTE) training programs in K–12 and Adult education settings. AME is the largest CTE sector in California, serving approximately 230,000 students.

CDE’s work with the AME sector aligns with SB-628 California Creative Workforce Act of 2021 , which establishes “creative arts workforce development” as a state priority. CDE works collaboratively with local education agencies, workforce intermediaries, government partners, community organizations, training programs and labor partners, to establish a system for building a more inclusive and diverse school to career pipeline and entertainment workforce.

CDE’s priorities for AME include the establishment of statewide work-based learning programs, a network of registered youth apprenticeships, and mentorship programs for students in California public schools.

Program/Services

CDE services for the AME Industry Sector are located within the Academy, Apprenticeship, and Internship Office in the Career and College Transition Division. The CDE assigned AME Industry Sector Lead and participating industry partners support implementation of a quality standards-based program of instruction for AME.

The specific services and program objectives include the following:

Provide technical assistance to AME programs in California.
Monitor the work of industry sector grant recipients and contractors for compliance.
Coordinate and facilitate statewide AME work groups and advisory committees.
Promote AME Industry Sector professional development activities including externships, conferences, and virtual workshops.
Promote AME Industry Sector activities in elementary and middle school career awareness programs.
Establish work-based learning programs and initiatives to connect schools to industry.
Share innovative approaches to bridge K–12 education with the creative industry.

Outcomes

AME instructional programs provide industry- training to prepare students for careers in the creative industry.

AME programs offer:

Industry aligned resources, strategies, activities, projects, and curricula.
Embedded work-based learning activities, simulated workplace experiences, and mentorship.
Learning opportunities and partnerships that increase career guidance and educational relevance leading to careers in the AME Industry Sector.

2023 Arts, Media, and Entertainment (AME) Model Curriculum Standards Pending State Board of Education Approval

The AME Statewide Industry Advisory Board in collaboration with the California Department of Education Career and College Transition Division, invites individuals to review the Draft 2023 AME Model Curriculum Standards(DOCX). This document is intended to inform high-quality AME CTE pathways in the State of California and support alignment with industry standards. Educators, practitioners, employers, students, and other stakeholders are invited to provide comments about the Draft 2023 AME Model Curriculum Standards. The 2023 AME MCS are in the approval process.

The public comment period is closed.

Arts, Media, and Entertainment 2023 Industry Recommendations and Guidance for Registered Youth and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

The AME Industry Advisory Board has put forward recommendations for CTE alignment to Registered Youth Apprenticeship (RYAP) and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs (Pre-RAP).

RYAP and Pre-RAP programs prepare students for occupations in the creative industry. Please refer to the 2023 Industry Recommendations and Guidance for Model Programs and Advanced Training(DOCX). for definitions, course outline guidance and curriculum alignment to Pre-RAP and RYAP. This document will aid CTE pathways in aligning with Pre-RAP and RYAP programs.

The 2023 Industry Recommendations and Guidance for Model Programs and Advanced Training document is intended to supplement, not replace, the AME Model Curriculum Standards.

AME Grants and Funding Profiles

Demonstration and Regional Technical Assistance Sites: The AME Demonstration and Regional Technical Assistance Sites for the California Department of Education serve as examples of exemplary Career Technical Education (school-to-career) programs and as resources for California secondary schools wishing to develop an AME Industry Sector CTE program.

AME Workforce Training Programs: The California Department of Education’s Arts, Media, and Entertainment (AME) Workforce Training program connects high school programs to industry-connected training and youth apprenticeship opportunities. High school campuses will develop articulated course sequences that prepare students for entry-level work. The program will establish work-based learning and internship experiences, public course content and curriculum, and pathway certification materials.

Hip Hop Education and Equity Initiative: The Hip Hop Education and Equity Initiative is a collaboration between state and local education agencies, post-secondary, and non-profit partners. Core elements of the initiative involve recruitment and mentoring of AME educators, and the establishment of culturally responsive and sustaining model course outlines and curriculum.

Partnership with CDE Foundation and The California Film Commission : The California Department of Education (CDE) has partnered with the California Film Commission (CFC) to provide career readiness opportunities for California’s students enrolled in the Arts, Media, and Entertainment (AME) industry sector. Through this partnership, film and video production companies provide a variety of “career readiness” opportunities for both students and teachers and receive a tax credit for filming in California.