The University of New Mexico, Taos Branch, rolls out new Digital Media Arts program. First of its kind classes offered in the state to help students find new niches for jobs.

  TAOS, NM - 06/09/2017 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

When visiting Taos in northern New Mexico, ask any of the locals you run into as you’re wandering around the eclectic shops, museums and art galleries about the best place to further your education in the State and you’ll get a unanimous “UNM-Taos". This growing UNM extension has been a key part of Taos since 1926. 

One of the exciting career pathways being offered is Digital Media Arts. This two year Associates Program teaches students how to connect their art to technology and open doors to an exciting career. Thanks to continual advances in media technology, artistic visions can now be projected on a wider scale – from film and television to social media, music and beyond. The industry has a growing need for creative artists and designers who can deliver stories and visuals in compelling ways. 

Students completing a two-year Associates Degree in Digital Media Arts develop the skills to pursue careers in graphic design, publishing, advertising, web production, music video production, film, animation, 3D modeling, television and gaming.

The UNM Digital Media Arts program has partnered with the KTAOS Solar Radio Station to offer two exclusive $500 scholarships for fully enrolled students for the Fall Semester. Applicants can apply for a chance to win $500 towards college tuition and win other great package prizes at: http://ktao.com/blog/view/282/UNM-Digital-Media-Arts-Scholarship-GIVEAWAY

Peter Walker, Chair of the DMA program, has been producing media for over 25 years. He received his Master Degree in Education and immediately brought video production into his teaching tool kit. He later attended the Asian Academy of Film and Television in India where he won “Best Director” from his cohorts and continued to work as a freelance media maker in Malaysia for three years. He has brought his oversees experiences and network back to his home town of Taos where he is working with an amazing team of media professionals in the UNM Taos Digital Media Arts Program.

“Media Arts is a huge, dynamic industry and for adventurous people it lends itself to an excellent travelling career. I shot music videos in Malaysia, a TV Food show pilot in Borneo and a web video series about Eco-Tourism in the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Bali. My greatest desire would be to see our students take off with their own career, travel the world and make art!”

The Digital Media Arts program provides the opportunity to gain fundamental skills in the application of digital tools to a wide variety of applications. A range of elective options supports individual, educational and employment goals. Students who have completed the degree will graduate with a strong portfolio and career competency. Robust faculty mentoring and frequent portfolio reviews support students as they prepare to continue their studies and pursue a wide range of media career opportunities.

There is a growing demand for media professionals and UNM Digital Media Arts is training young students to fill these jobs. Walker added “I get requests every week from people looking for media makers. Last week I got a call from the local newspaper and a professional musician who were both looking to hire graphic designers. Also, two of my students recently got jobs at Ziggy's, a trendy Taos Frozen Yogurt Shop, and beat out a massive list of applicants because they were the winners of the Canon Filmmaker's Challenge we participated in and knew how to shoot promo videos”. 

Jose Sanchez, one of the Cannon winners, stated, “This program has not only helped me get jobs, it has also showed me what I want to do with my life. I just want to thank my teachers and the Canon Filmmakers Challenge where I learned so much and where my love for the Digital Media Arts program really happened”. 

Students entering the Taos DMA program get an insiders perspective on the digital media industry. UNM Taos is connected to the NM Film Foundation, which regularly offers film contests, screenwriter awards and networking parties. 

 “When you are living a creative lifestyle, shooting videos, making art, working with musicians, telling stories and getting paid for it . . . you know life is good!” Walker added. “And that is what our DMA program aims to deliver for the next generation of UNM Taos students! Check out our website and sign up to be a part of our team and your future today!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrwRGpNM1as