Our mission is to support underrepresented people of all ages by offering artistic and professional development, facilities access, education, and exhibition opportunities with an emphasis on providing viable longterm pathways into creative industries.
Founded in 2002, Motion Media Arts Center (MMAC) was born from the amalgamation of two renowned arts and film organizations, garnering worldwide recognition for its pioneering media arts initiatives spanning nearly two decades. MMAC is dedicated to building accessible spaces for public learning, active creation, and cultivation of innovative ideas.
Our offerings programs include:
Austin School of Film: Operating in East Austin for over 20 years, this award-winning public community film progam offers a diverse range of classes, workshops, youth education, and learning programs in art, film, and creative technology.
Austin Cinemaker Space: Cinemaker offers affordable access to equipment, resources, video/photo studios, and workspaces for media artists and filmmakers in the local community.
HISTORY
Motion Media Arts Center traces its roots back to 2002 when it merged two pioneering entities: the Austin Cinemaker Co-op and the Center for Young Cinema (CYC). The Austin Cinemaker Co-op, established in 1996, quickly gained acclaim as a premier filmmaking resource hub, boasting original members such as Guillermo Del Toro and Lee Daniel. Offering an array of affordable workshops, classes, screenings, and events led by local artists and filmmakers, the co-op became a cornerstone of the community.
Simultaneously, Anne Goetzmann Kelley, in collaboration with the Austin Cinemaker Co-op, embarked on founding the Center for Young Cinema, the first year-round film school tailored for children in the Southwest. At a time when opportunities for youth to explore filmmaking were scarce in Central Texas, CYC emerged as a beacon, nurturing budding storytellers.
In 2001, CYC's excellence garnered national recognition when it was named one of the top ten film schools in the United States by HBO Family. Its alumni subsequently achieved acclaim for their work, producing award-winning films with widespread distribution and success.
The fusion of these two esteemed institutions laid the groundwork for the Motion Media Art Center's inception. Just two years after its establishment in 2004, MMAC consolidated its educational endeavors under the moniker Austin School of Film. It secured the distinction of being the first Apple Certified Training Facility in Texas and spearheaded comprehensive programs featuring renowned film educators such as Kat Candler, Ben Foster, Kate Winkler Dawson, Jacob Vaughan, and Tania Romero.
In 2014, buoyed by their achievements in promoting accessible and affordable arts education, MMAC embarked on a significant expansion project, culminating in a purpose-built 14,000 square foot facility in East Austin. This expansion facilitated the realization of new initiatives, including the brainchild of Education & Programs Director Faiza Kracheni, and the launch of Austin Cinemaker Space in late 2015. This sister program to Austin School of Film eschewed traditional hourly rates in favor of a nonprofit, community-driven model, striving to offer sustainable options for creators, filmmakers, and artists.
Both MMAC programs are guided by a commitment to addressing the pressing challenges of affordability, sustainability, and access in arts education and workspace provision. Since its inception nearly two decades ago, MMAC has served an average of 25,000 students and community members annually, with all programs and operations overseen by industry professionals, artists, and filmmakers.