MOCA SUMMER JOURNALISM INSTITUTE

MOCA SUMMER JOURNALISM INSTITUTE 2007
June 11- June 29, 2007

Students in grades 9-12 are invited to sign up for MOCA’s Summer Journalism Institute, a free course on writing design and publishing. Students will sharpen their writing skills, practice layout and design, meet professional journalists and participate in field trips to major news outlets. They will also experience researching and reporting stories, and learn about photojournalism.

Using the Museum of Contemporary Art as a backdrop, the students will focus on art and its role in society as well as other concerns in their community. Participants will earn up to 100 community service hours.

Classes run from Monday June 11 through Friday, June 29 from 1 to 5 pm. Interested students are asked to apply before May 28. Space is limited. Examples of student work are required with application.

Contact the Education Department for an application and further information. 305.893.6211 ext. 25 or email: avlates@mocanomi.org

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MOCA SUMMER JOURNALISM INSTITUTE 2006 WRAP-UP
By Alexandra G. Smith '06
MOCA Summer Journalism Institute writer

"This is a vessel for you to learn, meet people, grow and change," said instructor Karla Kennedy.

For three weeks the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami¹s boardroom was filled with faces of all colors ready to learn about Journalism, Art Criticism and Photography.

"This Summer Journalism Institute gives students from underserved schools an opportunity to participate in Journalism class," said Curator of Education, Dr. Adrienne Von Lates. "It also teaches creativity through art."

In search of something interesting and different to do for the summer, eighteen teens attended the summer program. Throughout the three weeks the teens learned the basics of Journalism including how to write leads, gathering and researching information, and the ethics involved. They also learned about reviewing art; being able to describe, interpret and judge.

Photography and page-layout and design were also covered. The students learned about camera controls and what makes a good picture and simple design elements.

"This year has been one of the best," said Kennedy. "I have young adults who really want to do something good with their talents; develop a consciousness about their community and the world." This is her third year teaching the program. She teaches journalism and advises the yearbook and newspaper at Miami Norland Senior High.

To receive community service hours the students had to complete four assignments; a contemporary issue article, an art review, an article detailing their favorite art piece and a student interview.

"I want to write and illustrate children¹s books, journalism gives me a good foundation of writing," said sophomore, Alejandro Pinero.

The best articles will be published in the Museum¹s Mocazine, a yearly publication that is distributed to high schools in Miami-Dade county and interested patrons of the museum. Interested students can also become part of the Mocazine by participating in the Junior Docent program sponsored by the museum.

"The field trips were the best," said fifteen year-old, Melanie Ferguson. "We went to really cool places and since I¹m home schooled it was cool to be with people my age again."

The students took a tour of the Miami Herald. They got a chance to speak with Features Editor of Arts and Style, Shelly Acoca who edits Pulitzer Prize winning columnists Leonard Pitts and Dave Barry. "I have the best job in the world and I am not giving it up any time soon," said Acoca.

Nicole White, Miami Herald staff-writer, visited the class to talk about her experience as a writer and to answer questions. She shared stories about running after the Florida governor to ask him questions, flying in stormy weather to cover a hurricane and getting lost in Hialeah when covering Calle Ocho.

Carl Juste, Miami Herald photojournalist, taught the class that photography is about making pictures not taking them. He said that when you make a picture you are creating history, capturing the moment and interpreting art. Juste was inspiring and told the students that they should always be in search of knowledge and open to the wonderful possibilities of life.

It was hot, but the students walked from MOCA on 125th street in North Miami down 8th Avenue to North Miami Public Library to do research for their assignments.

"It amazes me that there¹s such a variety of kids," said Von Lates.

The students got to know each other during their interviews. They were paired and had to ask at least ten questions.

"They¹re all polite, everyone gets along," said Xavier Rumph, thirteen. "You don¹t really hear any arguing unless they are joking."

On the last day the students helped Kennedy celebrate her birthday. Birthday
candles lit the room as the class sang Happy Birthday.

"This is a new and exciting program, and I can¹t wait to start planning for next summer," Kennedy said.

Students who attended the workshop came from Allapattah Middle, Hillel, Michael Krop Sr., North Miami Beach Sr., Miami Norland Sr., Southwest Miami Sr., and two were home schooled.