A Program of REACH FOR THE STARS FILM & ARTS ACADEMY
Training Talent. Creating Careers. Building the Future of Film.
Reach for the Stars Film & Digital Media Workforce Training Center is a no-cost workforce initiative preparing Milwaukee youth and adults for employment, entrepreneurship, and the creative economy.
$2.3M-$2.5M
Project Cost
No Cost
Participant Training
4 Tracks
Film, Editing, Audio, Content
12+
Month Launch Plan
Executive Summary
Workforce development with a cinematic mission.
The Center combines skill-building, economic mobility, and community revitalization through hands-on film and digital media education.
No-cost training. Real portfolios. Career pathways for Milwaukee's next generation of creators.
Participants gain real-world experience and prepare for employment and entrepreneurship.
Community Need
Growing up in Milwaukee County, founder Steven Love witnessed poverty, lack of opportunity, and limited access to meaningful careers. This program aims to break those cycles through skill-building and opportunity creation.
Training Tracks
Hands-on training that becomes a portfolio.
After-school programs, evening training, summer intensives, and project-based learning.
01
Film
Production
Camera, lighting, directing, crew roles, set workflow, and production discipline.
02
Video
Editing
Post-production, digital workflow, story structure, reels, and client-ready cuts.
03
Audio &
Podcasting
Recording, podcast studio operation, interviews, voice, and media presence.
04
Content
Creation
Digital campaigns, social video, creative branding, and creator entrepreneurship.
Facility Overview
From vacant building to creative training center.
Film studio, podcast studio, editing labs, classrooms, offices, and industry-standard training spaces.
01
Acquire
Acquire and renovate a vacant building for community impact.
02
Build
Create production rooms, classrooms, offices, and editing labs.
03
Launch
Launch employment pathways, student portfolios, and partner projects.
Workforce Model
Measured outcomes. Sustainable partnerships.
Aligned with workforce systems, participant-based funding, job outcomes, grants, donors, financing, and partnerships.
Career Pathways
Employment in media production and entrepreneurship through creative business creation.
Outcomes
Enrollment, completion, job placement, business creation, and portfolio development.
Partners
Schools, workforce agencies, media companies, foundations, donors, and civic leaders.
Budget Summary
Total project cost estimated at $2.3M-$2.5M.
Funding supports acquisition, renovation, equipment, studio buildout, classrooms, and launch capacity.
$2.3M-$2.5M
Estimated Project Cost
Sources
Grants, donors, financing, partnerships, and workforce funding.
Uses
Building acquisition, renovation, equipment, production studios, editing labs, classrooms, and offices.
Implementation Timeline
0-6 months acquisition, 6-12 months renovation, 12+ months launch.
Inquiry Form
Students, parents, donors, and partners can connect here.
Use this form for enrollment interest, sponsorship questions, volunteer mentoring, facility tours, and partnership conversations.
Conclusion
A transformative opportunity for Milwaukee.
Reach for the Stars Film & Digital Media Workforce Training Center will help participants turn creative talent into careers while strengthening community, opportunity, and economic mobility.
