Motion Media Arts Center is a nonprofit arts organization with deep roots in East Austin, proudly serving the greater Austin community for over 24 years.
At Motion Media Arts Center, our mission is to provide access to creative and professional opportunities in film and media art. Through equitable education, hands-on training, access to facilities, and public exhibition platforms, we support emerging and established artists alike.
Diversifying the industry doesn’t happen by chance. It happens when we build intentional and community-rooted pathways.
The truth is, film and media remain some of the most expensive art forms. Cameras, software, lighting, sound equipment, editing suites—these essential production tools can cost thousands of dollars, placing the entire creative process out of reach for many.
Without access to tools, training, and space, too many talented voices are left behind. This lack of access directly impacts who gets to tell stories, whose work gets seen, and whose experiences are represented.
By removing barriers and providing hands-on support—from equipment access and studio time to mentorship and education—we are actively reshaping the future of the film and media arts landscape. Our sustainable, community-rooted programs are designed to build lasting pathways into the creative economy, equipping storytellers with the tools and support they need to thrive.
OUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAMS
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AUSTIN SCHOOL OF FILM
With over 20 years of deep roots in East Austin, this award-winning public community film program offers a wide range of classes, workshops, and youth education in art, film, and creative technology. Austin School of Film serves approximately 2,000 participants annually through more than 150 classes and camps—including hands-on courses in analog filmmaking, experimental and foundational production skills like Camera Basics, Narrative Filmmaking, Documentary Intensives, Animation, and more.
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CINEMAKER
Cinemaker is a membership-based creative studio program that provides affordable access to production studios, equipment, and tools for artists working in film and media. Designed to remove financial barriers, Cinemaker supports hundreds of Austin artists each year by offering hands-on access to professional-grade equipment and space to produce their work. Cinemaker is committed to building affordable, sustainable, and long-term solutions for arts production in Central Texas.
OUR HISTORY
In 2004, MMAC launched Austin School of Film, greatly enhancing public access to filmmaking and creative media, particularly focused on serving those with generational ties to East Austin. This community film program vastly opened the world of film through offering low or no-cost classes and workshops year-round and also making MMAC the first Texas nonprofit to offer a public Apple Certified Training facility—setting a high standard for educational excellence. At a time when filmmaking equipment and software were prohibitively expensive, this initiative made film education accessible, fostering new skills and storytelling abilities. The core ethos of the program was not only about learning but also about actively creating films, deeply engaging with the techniques and artistry that make filmmaking a potent medium for storytelling and social change. Currently, Austin School of Film sees approximately 2000 students annually, including local, regional, and international participants.
In 2015, MMAC expanded into a 20,000 square foot warehouse in East Austin, transforming it with nearly $200k in self-funding into a new media arts facility, creating a vibrant hub for the creative community. The growth continued in 2016 with the launch of the CINEMAKER Studio Access Program at this revitalized facility. This groundbreaking program introduced a low-cost studio membership model, providing unparalleled access to creative production studios and equipment, thus addressing the high costs of media arts production. The program revolutionized access for independent artists with a membership-based model, offering affordable, flexible studio space without the costly hourly rates. Currently, CINEMAKER sees over 400 productions pass through its doors each month, impacting directly roughly 15,000 people working together in film, photo, and media arts each year on new work.
Nearly a decade later, in response to the gentrification and displacement of communities in East Austin, MMAC thought out our next move. At the end of 2024, MMAC bid farewell to our East Austin facility due to unsustainable rent increases and changes in ownership. This challenge prompted a return to the drawing board, where we reevaluated our approach: What does community support look like in this ever-evolving landscape?
By January 2025, MMAC had launched three new locations around Austin to maintain accessibility and expand its reach. Some of the newer pillars of our programs include Artists in Motion, a media arts residency program for artists who have never exhibited work publicly and Future Film Collective, a digital resource database for locals to hire local artists for ongoing productions.
Throughout its history, MMAC has fostered meaningful partnerships with with fellow arts nonprofits and creative businesses alike (think Kodak Motion Picture, GEAR, and Precision Camera) enriching Austin's cultural landscape and providing continuous mentorship for artists. MMAC remains committed to its mission of innovating and improving access to the arts, recognizing their profound societal benefits beyond monetary or aesthetic values.