For the past couple of months the Nickelodeon board and staff have been working with consultant Paul Manley, from Portland, Oregon, on developing the plan for our new Media Education Center.  For years we have been dreaming up different ideas for what the center could be like, and with the capital campaign moving forward we’ve decided it’s time to solidify our vision of the center and establish clear steps for moving forward.  Yesterday, we were excited to bring together a terrific group of folks

from the area to participate in a conversation about what media education needs exist in our community and what work is already being done locally in the field.  Joining us for the morning session were Heidi Cooley (USC), Scot Hockman (SC Department of Education), Josh Drews (Spring Valley High School/SC Art Education Association), Perry McLeod (Richland Northeast High School), Ken May (SC Arts Commission), Laura Kissel (USC), and Betsy Newman (ETV) as well as Nickelodeon board members Tracy Jones, Frank Baker and Sufia Giza Amenwashu.

Under Paula’s guidance this terrific group shared their ideas on the importance of media education and the work they’re already doing.   Together, we developed a map of current trends in media education in our area, filling up a wall with fascinating ideas and observations.  Later in the afternoon the Nick staff met alone with Paula and a couple of our board members to take things a bit further – envisioning details on what the center could become.

It was a long day, full of lots of work, and we left feeling exhausted, but excited.  Thanks to Paula for her excellent facilitation and to all of our community participants for their time.  Stay tuned for more details on the Media Education Center as they develop.