Media Arts Foundation

1. The Media Arts Foundation Program is a one-year commitment, with classes running weekdays
   from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from September to June.
2. Full-Time students are 18 years of age or older with a high school diploma or G.E.D.
   and must have an official medical diagnosis of autism.
3. While we work to place graduates of our Full-Time Program in positions of employment both
   internally and externally, Exceptional Minds does not guarantee employment to students or graduates at any time.
4. Annual tuition is $38,800.
5. The fully remote option is available for $33,600.
6. Needs based tuition assistance is available.

• Formal Diagnosis of Autism: Application requires submission of a letter of diagnosis and/or a recent IEP (Individualized Education Plan) stating diagnosis.
• Minimum educational level: Evidence of high school diploma or G.E.D.
• Independence: Applicants should demonstrate reasonable independence with transportation, hygiene, scheduling and punctuality, work completion, safety, money etc.
• Computer Fluency Skills: Applicants should demonstrate basic working knowledge of saving and naming files, Internet navigation and e-mails, and typing skills, etc.
• Executive Function: Applicants should demonstrate reasonable ability with independent planning, decision-making, time management, organization, etc.
• Ability to Follow Multi-step Directions: The ability to follow directions presented both orally and in writing.
• Flexibility: The ability to receive and incorporate feedback, change direction with little notice, use multiple modes of design to create a project, ability to try novel programs and methods, and the ability to work on non-preferred tasks.
• Artistic Ability and Commitment: Applicants are required to upload additional requirements to our SLIDEROOM portal that highlight the applicant’s artistic skill and experience. Additional requirements include: 4 to 6 portfolio pieces, a statement of intent, and a summary of experience (resume). 
• Basic Work-Related Social Skills: Listening, promptness, appropriate hygiene and dress, greetings and salutations, appropriate volume and tone, ability to work and learn in a group, and showing interest in coworkers, etc.
• Motivation: Taking pride in quality work, meeting deadlines, performing at or above the level of peers, able to work for periods without prompting or praise, etc.

Semester 1

MAF 101 Work-life skills 1

Beginning with essential life and adulting skills, this course delves into the challenges and skills required for students’ transitioning into independent living and studying in a post-secondary setting. Course work weaves into the technical courses and aims to improve the students’ executive function, social and emotional well being with a curriculum that finds a meaningful balance between professional expectations, personal experience, and abilities.

MAF 102 – Storytelling with Words and Pictures

The best way to understand a story is to understand and tell your own. Part screenwriting, video editing and part media studies, this writing, creating, and reading course asks students to consider the dramatic structure of not only the shows they watch, the games they play but also the lives they lead and the activities of others. Students will use Adobe Premiere pro editing software.

MAF 103 – Design & Digital Tools I

An introduction to design, color, and digital platform fundamentals, students in this course create digital content with the Adobe Creative suite and other relevant software and technologies. In addition to learning the techniques of digital tools, this project based class will explore the latest in image making technologies used by the entertainment and media industries.

MAF 104 – Drawing + Animation

Put charcoal and pencil to paper and start drawing! And then animate!  A course that bobs and weaves between the digital world of Adobe Animate animation software and the fundamentals of drawing, this course provides a solid start to creating 2D animations. 

This introductory course uses the 12 Principles of Animation and cinematic techniques for visual storytelling to develop students’ artistic and storytelling skills. Work will also focus on the development of positive professional habits including note-taking, organization, and presenting work, as well as performing various aspects of the animation production process and pipeline. (The drawing component hones students’ and observational skills and helps build aesthetic sensibilities, concentration and portfolios.)   

Semester 2

MAF 201 – Work-life skills 2

A continuation of Work-lIfe Skills 1, this is a course designed to reach beyond topics of work and academic success explored in the first semester. Students explore meditation, yoga, exercise, nutrition, and other mindful and health forward pursuits. Its unique structure is weaved into the weekly schedule so that the student’s salutary activities become routine.    

MAF 202 – Media Business Communication and Writing  (Professional Skills)

Interview skills, networking, resume writing, and email communication are just a few of the competences needed to transition into the working world. In this course, students practice and deliver the fundamentals of workforce transition activities.

MAF 203 – Audio 

An introduction to using sound in post production to punctuate visual content, whether animation motion graphics or live action scenes. Using work from the first semester’s Animation and Storytelling class, students will explore sound effects, dialogue, and music editing techniques in Adobe Premiere Pro. 

MAF 204 – Digital Tools II: 3D and Motion Graphics

Expanding on the repertoire of skills from the first semester’s Introductory Digital Tools course, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of 3D creation for games, animation, or design and motion graphics.  

Semester 3

MAF – 301 Professional Practice and Office Applications for Success

Part simulation, part survey of entry level office applications, this course allows students to apply their skills to everyday work related tasks in the creative industries. From presentations to posting on social media to writing coverage on a short screenplay to editing a spreadsheet, these are the fundamental skills a creative generalist might encounter in the workplace. 

MAF - 302 Work-Integrated Learning or MAF 303 – Portfolio Project

Students complete a work placement– paid or unpaid– of at least 80 hours. Comprising up to two days per week of entry level work in a creative industry based organization, the placement runs in parallel with the Professional Practice course giving students and their employers persistent support in their pursuit. Weekly reflection and assessment prepares the students for further workforce transition or study. 

Students may elect to develop a project for their portfolio in lieu of a work placement. In this self-directed creative project, students build a portfolio piece on a platform of their choice in animation, motion graphics, editing, VFX, or writing.  

MAF 304 – 3D Worlds

This course is designed to introduce students to the powerful tools and techniques for creating captivating 3D virtual environments used in gaming, virtual production, visual effects, and immersive experiences. Using premade and customized assets, the course explores game engine and 3D software applications and their intersection with new technologies. 

Applying to Exceptional Minds’ Media Arts Program is a four step process:

1) Sign up and complete a tour online or in-person. You must complete this step before applying to the program.

2) Upload your application to attend Exceptional Minds.

3) Upload your portfolio and additional requirements.

4) Complete a virtual assessment/interview.