Students:
The ideal students for this program are high school visual arts and multimedia students, typically between the ages of 14–18, with a wide range of experience levels, from beginners exploring art for the first time to more advanced students developing a portfolio. They work across various mediums, including photography, drawing, painting, digital design, video, and mixed media. While many are familiar with digital tools and content creation, they often have limited exposure to real-world creative careers and professional workflows. Developmentally, they are in a stage of identity formation, seeking independence, relevance, and opportunities to express themselves authentically. They are motivated by hands-on, engaging experiences and benefit from clear structure paired with creative freedom.
Learner Analysis:
These students are driven by a desire to create, express themselves, and do work that feels unique and meaningful to them. They are interested in photography, video, design, and other visual mediums, often engaging through digital platforms, but need structure, guidance, and exposure to real-world creative pathways to grow their skills and confidence. They respond best to hands-on learning, clear direction, and opportunities for personal expression. Understanding this helps shape the program to feel relevant and engaging, while also allowing it to be marketed around real creative experiences, growth, and career exploration.
Design Identity Package:
Marketing Collateral:
Funding Plan and Budget:
The Working Artist Podcast is designed to operate with minimal startup costs by utilizing existing classroom resources and equipment already available through the school, such as cameras, computers, and editing software. Estimated expenses include minor costs for marketing materials, Ad placements, posters, website hosting, and any supplemental supplies, totaling approximately $200–$500 to start. Funding will primarily come from school support and existing program resources, with the potential for additional support through small grants, community partnerships, or donations as the program grows. While the program is not initially designed as a revenue-generating model, time invested in planning, producing podcast content, and teaching will be tracked to better understand the overall commitment and long-term value. This approach ensures the program is sustainable, scalable, and grounded in a realistic understanding of both financial and time-based investment.
Team Members:
TJ Glines (Program Creator / Instructor):
A high school art and photography teacher with a background in video production, photography, and multimedia design. With experience as a creative director and work in an agency setting, he brings real-world industry insight into the classroom. His teaching focuses on helping students build confidence, develop technical skills, and see the value of their creativity beyond school.
A high school art and photography teacher with a background in video production, photography, and multimedia design. With experience as a creative director and work in an agency setting, he brings real-world industry insight into the classroom. His teaching focuses on helping students build confidence, develop technical skills, and see the value of their creativity beyond school.
Sam Glines (Social Media Manager)
With a strong understanding of trends, audience engagement, and visual storytelling, Sam helps shape the program’s online presence by promoting podcast episodes, highlighting student work, and building a consistent and relatable brand voice.
With a strong understanding of trends, audience engagement, and visual storytelling, Sam helps shape the program’s online presence by promoting podcast episodes, highlighting student work, and building a consistent and relatable brand voice.
Gavin Gossett (Camera Operator / AV Technician):
Gavin is a skilled camera operator and AV technician with hands-on experience in video production and audio setup. He specializes in capturing high-quality footage and ensuring clean, professional sound. His attention to detail and technical knowledge help elevate the overall production value of the podcast and related media.
Gavin is a skilled camera operator and AV technician with hands-on experience in video production and audio setup. He specializes in capturing high-quality footage and ensuring clean, professional sound. His attention to detail and technical knowledge help elevate the overall production value of the podcast and related media.
Guest Artists (Collaborators):
The program features a rotating group of working creatives, including photographers, designers, painters, videographers and more. These artists bring real-world experience into the classroom, sharing insight into their creative process, career paths, and the realities of working in the industry.
The program features a rotating group of working creatives, including photographers, designers, painters, videographers and more. These artists bring real-world experience into the classroom, sharing insight into their creative process, career paths, and the realities of working in the industry.
Students (Future Creators):
Students in the program take on evolving roles as creators, editors, and interviewers. As they gain experience, they become more involved in the production process, developing skills in storytelling, media creation, and collaboration while building confidence in their own creative voice.
Students in the program take on evolving roles as creators, editors, and interviewers. As they gain experience, they become more involved in the production process, developing skills in storytelling, media creation, and collaboration while building confidence in their own creative voice.
Pitch Audience:
The pitch audience for The Working Artist Podcast includes individuals and groups who are in a position to support, fund, or help expand the program beyond the classroom. This primarily includes school administrators who can approve and support implementation, local artists and creatives who can collaborate as guest speakers, and community organizations or potential funders who value arts education and student development. It also extends to grant organizations and funding bodies, as the pitch is designed to support applications for arts education grants and program funding opportunities. The goal is to reach those who can provide resources, partnerships, or financial support, helping move the program from a classroom-based experience into a larger, community-connected initiative.
Program Pitch Video:
Plans to Scale:
The Working Artist Podcast is designed to grow beyond its initial classroom implementation into a larger, community-connected program. After the pilot phase, the goal is to expand by bringing in a wider range of guest artists, increasing student involvement in content creation, and building partnerships with local organizations and creatives. As the program develops, there is potential to evolve into a student-led media platform, integrate into a formal CTE or multimedia pathway, and offer workshops or collaborative events within the community. These plans are flexible and will adapt based on available resources and support, but the long-term vision is to create a sustainable program that continues to provide students with real-world creative experiences and opportunities.
