The Center for Ethnographic Media Arts is committed to cultivating an innovative and inclusive space for the exploration and creation of non-fiction media arts. As a hub for creative expression and interdisciplinary scholarly collaboration, CEMA is committed to hosting a diverse range of public programs that engage both the local USC population and the broader artistic community. The center’s primary offerings will be hosting monthly visiting artists, public screenings, workshops and creating a collaborative media archive.
Public Screenings
The Center for Ethnographic Media Arts hosts public screenings that bring together USC and the local community, showcasing monthly visiting artists’ films and audio works while promoting dialogue and knowledge exchange. These curated screenings not only provide the USC community with a chance to immerse themselves in creative nonfiction works of esteemed practitioners, but also creates a platform for dynamic discussions, collaborative learning, and the exploration of cultural perspectives from around the world. By facilitating these interactions, CEMA aims to promote cultural exchange, dialogue, and understanding.
Workshops
The Center for Ethnographic Media Arts is proud to host workshops and salons facilitated by visiting artists who are at the forefront of the audiovisual field. These engaging workshops offer an exceptional opportunity for the USC community to actively participate and collaborate with distinguished practitioners. By blending their expertise, diverse film and audio techniques, and innovative perspectives, these workshops ignite creative exploration, foster interdisciplinary connections, and empower individuals to push the boundaries of their own artistic endeavors within the realm of ethnographic media arts.
Visiting Artists
The Center for Ethnographic Media Arts welcomes monthly visiting artists, encompassing renowned and emerging leaders in the ethnographic audiovisual medium. These artists and researchers actively engage the larger USC community via public programs showcasing their innovative works. Moreover, some collaborate with CEMA fellows through immersive workshops and one-on-one critiques. Our goal is for the visiting artists series to contribute to both CEMA fellows and the broader USC community, enriching creative and intellectual life on campus.
Critical Digital Archive
The critical digital archive at CEMA serves as a testament to the dialogues that emerge from the intersection of fellows’ and visiting artists’ works. Bridging diverse genres, vocations, and techniques, this ongoing archive fosters connections and stimulates discourse across the ethnographic and documentary audiovisual world. The archive serves as a record of the creative encounters that take place between workshop participants and visiting artists, establishing a dynamic conversation that is preserved within our online archive. This rich collection of interconnected works captures the essence of collaboration, creativity, and the ever-evolving exchange of ideas we hope to foster at CEMA.
