Media Library 2016 Archive

WATCH: Free Spirit Media | Focused On Our Youth

WHO ARE WE?

FREE SPIRIT MEDIA

Free Spirit Media partners with young creators, ages 11-25 and primarily from the West and South sides of Chicago, to develop and amplify their unique and critical voices through storytelling and media arts. We do this through our holistic programming which focuses on community-building, skill-sharing and career and education pathways that support young people to envision and build their futures within the media industry and beyond.

OUR MISSION

FREE SPIRIT MEDIA partners with young storytellers to transform media and society.

FALL 2000

HoopsHIGH Pilot launches.

FALL 2004

In-School digital arts education begins.

SUMMER 2007

Industry Pathways programs begin.

FALL 2010

Being Big is a Choice PSA wins Chicago/Midwest Emmy.

FALL 2013

Real Chi Youth civic journalism program launches.

WINTER 2016

Free Spirit Media expands into the Nichols Tower at Homan Square.

OUR JOURNEY

For 20 years, Free Spirit Media has been primarily rooted in the North Lawndale neighborhood, providing teens and young adults from the West and South sides of Chicago a comprehensive foundation in media arts through storytelling and hands-on media production within a creative youth development framework. From a humble start with one hired staff and two volunteers, FSM has steadily grown into a nationally-recognized youth media arts organization. Since 2001, Free Spirit Media has partnered with more than 6,500 young media-creators to develop their voices and share their unique and important stories within a creative community of support.

OUR FOCUS

PRODUCING over 700 compelling media pieces each year, Free Spirit Media participants use the documentaries, sports broadcasts news packages, audio stories, PSAs, and narrative films they create as a means of developing their own authentic voice while actively participating in their community's growth.

OUR REACH

FOCUSING our programming and recruitment in economically emerging communities on Chicago's West and South Sides, Free Spirit Media operates across 6 program sites with participants representing 40 unique zip codes. We aim to reach Black youth and youth of color, and youth marginalized based on other aspects of their identity such as class, gender, or immigrant status.

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