Digital Tools for Artists
In partnership with the People’s Emergency Center (PEC), Leeway Foundation is offering a series of free digital skills classes to artists working in image- and sound-based fields who are looking to expand their talents, document their work, and shed new light on their creative possibilities. Topics include video editing, sound editing and recording, digital image manipulation, and simple web design.
In order to enroll in these classes students are highly encouraged to attend the overview session on June 22 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm at Leeway (1315 Walnut Street, Suite 832).
With the exception of the Final Cut Pro section (see below), all of the classes will be held Fridays in our office beginning June 29 and ending August 24 (excluding July 6) from 1:00pm until 2:30pm. Participants should bring their own laptops, although Leeway has two available on a first-reserved basis, which may be reserved 24 hours in advance by emailing [email protected]. There are only 15 spaces available in each section.
Each course is divided in two parts. Students should prepare to attend both dates of each section they are interested in.
Note on Final Cut Pro section: This course takes place Thursday July 12 and Friday July 13 at PhillyCAM (699 Ranstead Street) from 10:30am – 12:00pm. There are only 8 spaces availab le for this section and computers will be provided.
Audacity and Podcasting
June 29 & July 13, 1:00pm – 2:30pm
In this course, students will learn to use Audacity, a free, downloadable sound recording and editing program operable on Mac, Window, and GNU/Linux systems. The class will teach how to record podcasts, import and export MP3, WAV, and AIFF files, layer and mix music with vocal tracks, and rearrange clips in copy-and-paste style. This easy-to-use software is available in several languages, including Spanish.
Final Cut Pro
July 12 & July 13, 10:30am – 12:00pm
PhillyCAM (699 Ranstead Street)
In this course, students will learn to use Final Cut Pro to edit video and still image clips. This advanced Apple software, made exclusively for Mac computers, allows artists to put together multimedia slideshows, featurelength films, and any number of combinations in between so that artists can present their film work in the most coherent and creative way. Please note this course takes place at PhillyCAM and only has 8 spaces available! Computers will be provided.
Free Photoshop Alternatives
July 20 & July 27, 1:00pm – 2:30pm
In this course, students will receive hands-on training in photo-editing programs as effective as Photoshop, but without the $600 price tag. The downloadable software like Pixlr, Seashore, and Gimp allow users to manipulate images through filters, layers, color schemes, and more. This is the perfect class for beginners of digital picture editing.
Simple Web Design & Blogging
August 3 & August 10, 1:00pm – 2:30pm
In this course, students will learn the basics of web design as well as hosting and blog options so that they can effectively market themselves to the internet community. Blog sites like WordPress and Blogger will be taught, in addition to the creation of personal web pages using the program Sea Monkey. Students can expect to leave with the knowledge of how to increase their online visibility.
Final Projects
August 17 & August 24, 1:00pm – 2:30pm
In this course, students will author their own multimedia project using the skills they have learned in each previous digital skills class.
