The Comox Valley Art Gallery now is accepting applications for the Youth Media Project, a program that provides wages and hands-on training in video production.

The application deadline is Nov. 5. Five applicants will be accepted for a program that will run from Nov. 9 to Feb. 19.

Participants must be between 16 and 30 years old. They will be paid minimum wage for 30 hours a week and will get the opportunity to learn how to create films.

鈥淭he Youth Media Project is a great chance for young people to learn to create videos that respond to the new reality that has been brought on by a combination of COVID, the Overdose Crisis, and the Black and Indigenous Lives Matter movement,鈥� said team leader Krista Tupper.

鈥淚 am excited for the community-based digital stories that can frame, contextualize and offer insight to how youth are experiencing this moment.鈥�

To be eligible for the program, participants must be interested in art and video, age 16 to 30, not attending school full-time or receiving Employment Insurance, and experiencing barriers to employment.

To apply, applicants should prepare a letter that answers the question about why they are interested in this program in particular.

The letter can be sent to krista.cvagymp@gmail.com or text 250-650-8876 (or a letter delivered to CVAG at 580 Duncan Ave).

There will be an information session for potential applicants on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 5:30 p.m. at CVAG. Please RSVP.

The Youth Media Project is funded by Service Canada. CVAG partners with the Wachiay Friendship Centre, the Creative Employment Access Society and Imagine Comox Valley to offer this opportunity to youth in our community.

For details, call 250-650-8876 or visit CVAG Youth Media Project on Facebook.