DATA: Digital Art and Technology Access Winter/Spring Workshops
DATA is a media arts and technology program designed for neurodivergent individuals (such as individuals with Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, etc.) ages 13-26. A series of year-round workshops will build creative and social skills. Students will learn a range of media-based practices to suit all interests in technology and art.
In DATA we provide a minimum 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio, noise-canceling headphones, snacks or lunch, and a separate sensory-friendly space outside the classroom for breaks. The lead Teaching Artists have training in working with students with disabilities. The Teaching Assistant has a degree in social work and experience working with students with disabilities. Our Student Mentor is a new Villa Maria College and Achieve program graduate. Our Teaching Assistant can help you begin the process of applying for services through the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
We have three workshops this spring. In the application form, you will have the option to select which sessions you would like to attend. You may choose one, two, or all three! All workshops are open to students of all levels
Session 1: Digital Tools!
February 18 & 25 – 2 weeks
Learn new skills, and brush up on some tools you haven’t used in while. This workshop will use mini projects to cover a range of digital tools for making media art.
Instructor: Nyles Moore
Session 2: Prop Design
March 4 – 18 – 3 weeks
Design props for your digital characters to interact with!
Instructor: Nyles Moore
Session 3: Stop Motion Animation
March 25 – April 15 – 4 weeks
Learn how to make your own stop frame animation, or expand on the skills you already have.
Instructor: Kyle Butler
In partnership with:
About our generous funder The Tower Foundation
The Tower Foundation is a family foundation that helps children, adolescents, and young people affected by intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health issues, and/or substance use disorders. Our goal is to improve the lives of young people in our geographic footprint of Erie and Niagara Counties in Western New York, and Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, and Nantucket Counties in Eastern Massachusetts. Learn more here.
About our partner Villa Maria College’s Achieve program
The Achieve Program provides specialized services to students with learning differences. At Villa, we look at students’ needs individually, and develop a plan to help ease their transition into college. Through the Achieve Program, students can build their confidence as they develop the skills that are critical for achieving academic and social successes at the collegiate level and beyond. Specialized services include tutoring, multiple individual meetings for academic progress, communication and time management support, connection support for outside agencies, workshops and activities, and career readiness programming/curriculum/simulation experience. Learn more here.
About our partner Children’s Guild Foundation Autism Spectrum Disorder Center at Oishei Children’s Hospital
The Children’s Guild Foundation Autism Spectrum Disorder Center at Oishei Children’s Hospital evaluates, diagnoses and supports families with autism spectrum disorders. One component of the program includes identifying needs in the community and collaborating on the development of new resources and opportunities for families. Currently, there are very few programs or social opportunities available for teens on the spectrum. Programs based on music, art and technology allow teens to learn new skills and find different ways of expressing themselves in a creative, social and supportive environment. Learn more here.
