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The very successful Media Arts in the Public Schools (MAPS) may expand in Montana

Founded in 2004, Media Arts in the Public Schools (MAPS) http://www.mapsmediainstitute.com helps educate Montana’s future leaders through a proven experiential learning program that focuses on 4 powerful pillars of learning; design, music, film and technology.

But MAPS is much more than an arts education program. Each of its disciplines requires students to learn and use extensive knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills. Thus, MAPS is a STEAM program.

MAPS demonstrates student achievement through a 96% attendance rate and in 10 years and over 1,000 students, only 4 have dropped out of school. MAPS programming also has a demonstrated impact beyond the scope of the MAPS classroom, with 85% of MAPS students going on to attend college (compared with an average county college attendance rate of around 30% http://www.montana.edu/wwwextec/countydata/Ravalli.pdf).

In its 10 years of existence, MAPS has received multiple local, state and national awards for its students’ achievements. Most recently, the program was named one of the TOP 50 after-school programs in the entire country by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Here is a recent NBC/Montana television news story reported 9/30/14. https://vimeo.com/107058935

But even more compelling are the stories of the MAPS students themselves. Here is what we call "OUR STORY". NOTE: our MAPS students created and produced this video. https://vimeo.com/102681476

A major reason for this success is the #1 focus of providing the very best teachers and mentors for the programs. MAPS teachers are all professionals in their respective fields with at least 10,000 hours of ‘real world’ experience. Additionally, MAPS has a family of mentors who regularly guest lecture and inspire our students, among them: JIM KOUF and DAVID GREENWALT (Creators and Executive Producers of the NBC show, "GRIMM"), JEREMY SAUTER (Advertising and Marketing Executive for Paramount Pictures and MAPS creative director), TOM CATMULL (Montana based singer/songwriter), CHARITY LOFTHOUSE, Ph.D. (Professor of Music Theory, Hobart Williams Smith) et al.

MAPS is unique in that it combines education with the real world of business. In 2005, MAPS attracted its first paying client, the Ravalli County DUI Task Force. Since then, clients and revenues have increased every year and thus an important leg of MAPS sustainability. Some clients include: State Farm Insurance, Montana’s Office of the Governor, the Montana Film Office, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators et al.

Another key to the MAPS mission is its "GIVE BACK" program whereby MAPS students collaborate (pro-bono) with a wide variety of organizations that require media but do not have the budget to produce it. In 2013, students chose to partner with the Bitterroot Youth Homes and the Montana Hope Project. These projects not only provide students with an opportunity to give back to their community, but allow them to take ownership over their skills and share what they have learned to the benefit of their neighbors.

The MAPS program in Hamilton now stands at a major crossroads for Montana. It has applied for a $4.5 MM I3 Grant with a 10% match requirement that comes from the Race to the Top program. If successful, it will be able to expand to 12 additional communities in Montana with each receiving not only the complete curriculum but also 3 years of funding to ensure success.

Before or by the end of year three, it is expected that each new center will generate revenue from student developed, client-based public service announcements. Here’s an example of award winning PSA’s produced by Ravalli MAPS students. http://vimeo.com/96025912 .

Each community will be able to offer hands-on training that includes state of the art technology as well as access to the incredible mentor program that brings some of the world’s finest professionals to Montana to work with the students.

But having knowledge and skills is only the first step to a successful future…’who’ you know and networking capabilities are vital. As it is said in our program, "ONCE A MAPS STUDENT, ALWAYS A MAPS STUDENT" and here are some of our ‘friends’ that we can access to give our students a leg up: http://www.mapsmediainstitute.com/friends/index.html

A state-wide MAPS program will be a perfect marketing tool for Montana. Besides the primary goal of education, it will be a highly visible example of Montana leading the way in educational innovation. It will attract a highly visible segment (actors, directors, musicians, designers etc.) to Montana to work with the students. Here are two recent examples: 1) Governor Steve Bullock and Actor/"End Hunger" activist Jeff Bridges: https://vimeo.com/96764318 2)"HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY" video from the creators and cast of "GRIMM". https://vimeo.com/93218696

If this grant is successful it will raise the visibility of Montana as a wonderful place to live, work and enjoy the best that life has to offer.

Please call us if you would like to be involved in seeing this program expand to more of Montana’s future leaders.

"With your support, we can change lives."

Thank you,

Peter Rosten – MAPS Founder [email protected] 821-3780

Russ Fletcher – [email protected] 531-8119

"The State with the Best Education Wins!"

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