Teen Content Lab - Afterschool Art Classes - Teen

Teen Content Lab: November 4th, 11th, 18th and Dec 2nd; 5-7PM

$65 | $50 Members (All 4 classes) 

Equipment Requirement: Personal Smartphone

In Hickory Museum of Art’s HMA Teen Content Lab, teens team up after school to build real-world video skills. In this hands-on creative space, students learn how to professionally shoot on mobile devices, edit their visuals, and tell engaging stories. Working closely with the museum, they produce a series of short videos that spotlight regional artists and help connect youth culture with the museum.

The Focus: Short-Form Mobile Storytelling
Every session is built around the power of the pocket-sized screen. Students learn essential
field journalism methods and video production techniques to create high-impact vertical videos
(Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts) shot entirely on personal smartphones.

The core of the lab centers on clear, intentional storytelling:

● The 3-Second Hook: Mastering how to grab attention immediately.
● Narrative Arc in 60 Seconds: Condensing complex artistic processes into punchy,
insightful mini-stories about local artists.
● Technical Fundamentals: Understanding shooting and editing terminology, maximizing
natural lighting, clear mobile audio, and dynamic framing without the need for heavy
studio gear.
● On-the-Fly Editing: Cutting, pacing, and captioning content quickly for digital platforms.
By the end of the 4-week program, students will walk away with real-world production
experience, published work supporting a prominent regional cultural institution, and a dynamic
content piece for their creative reels.