MPRB's Spark’d Studios Offer Free Media Arts Programming and After-school Access to Creative Technology for Youth Ages 10-19

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A discussion with Raechel Bosch, Youth Technology and Career Skills Manager

Raechel BoschDid you know there are video and sound production studios that are part of our Minneapolis Parks resources? Rachel Bosch tells us about Spark’d Studios, the genesis of the idea, where to find the studios, and game-changing plans for the future in Minneapolis Parks’ programming.

Q:  Could you please tell us the genesis of the Spark'd Studios programming?

A:  About 20 years ago our current Superintendent, Al Bangoura, was a full-time Recreation Director at Powderhorn Park. His vision was to develop a multimedia studio for video and sound production to bring youth together in a safe place where they could dream of, and work toward, a bright future in creative endeavors. And he did just that. Mr. Bangoura partnered with the Institute of Production and Recording (IPR), founded in 2002 in Minneapolis, which trains students in audio production and engineering, live sound and show production, digital video and media production, and sound design for visual media. Programs at Powderhorn’s basement studio were enthusiastically received by the neighborhood youth, who sat side by side with each other, despite the discord and conflicts they faced with each other outside of the recreation center. Shortly after the media center opened, Al was transferred to another recreation center, and the vision for his media center flickered out without his drive and the resources he had cultivated from the Park Board, as well as the community. That, and his vision might have been just a bit early - before any of us understood where the field of creative technology was headed!

Fast forward to 2019, after a few years advancing in the park and recreation field out of state, Bangoura’s career brought him back to the Park Board, now as Superintendent, and his vision remained intact and even stronger. Recognition of the importance of the creative technology field had caught up with Al’s vision, and his plans for the promotion and advancement of media production in recreation centers is now supported by Board allocations for the construction of six studios serving various Minneapolis neighborhoods, full-time staff hired for each studio, a full-time manager, and most importantly, community (especially youth) enthusiasm and support.

Ongoing development and sustainability of Spark’d Studios requires funding and support from foundations, businesses and of course, the community.

Recording Booth at Powderhorn

Keyboard in the Powderhorn Studio

Open House attendees at Powderhorn Studio

Q:  Are the studio spaces for all ages? 

A:  The studios currently serve youth who are ages 10-19 and Minneapolis residents.

Q:  What types of programming is available?

A:  Spark’d Studios, located within Minneapolis recreation centers, offer free media arts programming and after-school access to creative technology, tools, and a multipurpose space for young producers to develop meaningful practices and collaborative projects. Activities are interdisciplinary, and include everything from creative writing, to video editing, to vocal performance, to clothing design, to social media content creation, to film studies, to 3D printing, to gaming, to web design.

Spark’d Studios are open year-round, at least five days per week, during after school times including late evening hours for older youth. Spark’d Studios offer both open studio labs for creative exploration as well as structured skill-building tech camps with an onsite full-time Youth Technology and Career Skills Specialist.

A full-time specialist will oversee each studio, providing leadership, coordinating partnership programs, supporting youth in their individual pursuits, hands-on practice, production, and performance of creative work.

Currently, the most popular program at Powderhorn Spark’d Studio is Music Recording and Production, which is offered weekly. The Powderhorn studio features a professional recording isolation booth with microphones, Midi keyboards, laptops, and a sound board for both group recording and individual audio engineering. Kids frequently drop by after playing a game of basketball to freestyle, write beats, sing to their favorite song, or even develop a podcast!

3D Printing Workshop

Art and Water Series

Storytelling Class

T-Shirt Design

Q:  This is such impressive programming! How many park locations have Spark'd Studios?

A:  A total of six studios will open by 2025. MPRB opened its first Spark’d Studio in Powderhorn Recreation Center in south-central Minneapolis in 2021 offering free creative technology programs in a highly sophisticated dedicated space with up-to-date equipment and software.

The next studio to open will be at Harrison Park in North Minneapolis. The brand-new multimedia room will feature various work stations for audio recording, a graphic design and editing suite, crafting area, 3D printing, gaming, and a laptop learning area for subject-based demonstrations. A ribbon cutting event will celebrate Harrison’s opening on February 9th and the northside studio will officially open to the public on February 13th.

Four additional studios will open from 2023-2025 at Whittier Park, Luxton Park, Phillips Community Center, and Graco Park.

Q:  It’s early, but do you have any results from the programs to share with us?

A:  We are just getting started!

Over the winter break, Spark’d Studios at Powderhorn Park teamed up with a local theatre group and offered a five-day Audio Recording Camp to record an audio play version of War of the Worlds. In the camp, six kids learned about signal flow, how to record and edit in GarageBand, and how to work with voice actors to produce a professionally recording theatrical performance.

Q:  What's on the drawing board on ways to expand the programs? 

A:  First and foremost, we are excited to connect the talented and diverse youth of Minneapolis with professional mentors, fun experiences, and critical resources so that they can pursue their interests, develop their passions, and explore self-expression as part of their everyday experience in the parks. We are building community partnerships with teachers and schools to offer hands-on studio activities both during and after school. Our long-term vision is to build pathways from our community studios to continued education and exciting professional opportunities for youth to connect their interests with real-world experience in a creative industry. We hope to help train the next generation of local young creators! Lastly, we are looking for donations of quality technology and materials for youth to experiment and train with various tools across disciplines. As practice-based, performance, and digital arts disappear from public schools, we hope to offer a safe space for Minneapolis youth to develop their crafts and ideas within walking distance from their homes.

Q:  How may we follow news of Spark'd Studios?

A:  Learn about city-wide Spark’d Studios programming and see our work on our new Instagram page @sparkdmpls or visit our website to browse and register for classes at: www.minneapolisparks.org/sparkd.

For queries, or to sign-up for our newsletter, email us at sparkd@minneapolisparks.org.