MAPS – Lewis & Clark Program
Established: 2019
Location: 1015 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
In Montana’s capital city of Helena, MAPS – Lewis & Clark County provides free, year-round media arts education through engaging after-school and summer programs.
Open to students of all skill levels from Helena and East Helena school districts, as well as private and homeschool communities, the program offers hands-on learning in filmmaking, design, music production, and new media technologies.
MAPS – Lewis & Clark County 2025 Summer Program
Classes run 10:00am – 4:00pm on the dates listed below
• MAPS classes are always FREE-OF-CHARGE! •
• MAPS classes are for 8th to 12th graders •
• All abilities are welcome in all classes •
Week 1: June 16 – June 17
Week 3: July 7 – July 8
Week 4: July 14 – July 15
Campfire stories. Summer slumps. That one perfect day. What’s your summer story—and how does it sound? In this hands-on summer course, you’ll dive into the art of storytelling through sound. Using industry-standard software like Pro Tools, you’ll learn essential audio production skills including voiceover recording, sound editing, and sound design. Through fun and real-world projects like creating an absurd ad, reimagining a picture book, or crafting your own “Best Part About Summer” audio piece
Week 2: June 30 – July 1
Grab a friend and step behind (and in front of) the camera! In this hands-on summer workshop, you’ll learn the basics of portrait photography—from lighting and posing to shooting with purpose. You’ll practice taking professional headshots and business-style portraits, perfect for profiles, portfolios, or future opportunities. Along the way, you’ll build real-world skills in both photography and Photoshop, and leave with polished portraits you can actually use. Whether you’re snapping shots or striking a pose, this class is all about capturing confidence and creativity.
Week 5: July 21 – July 22
Get ready to dive into the world of digital art trends by creating your own animated GIFs! In this class, you’ll use Photoshop to make simple animations while learning key principles of motion, timing, and visual storytelling. Whether it’s a loop for social media, or a cool piece of digital art, you’ll discover how GIFs are shaping modern culture and digital expression. By the end, you’ll have your own collection of eye-catching loops that are perfect for sharing online or adding to your digital art portfolio.
Week 6: July 28 – July 29
Step into the world of Technomancery, where technology and creativity merge. In this immersive, hands-on course, students explore virtual reality, and 3D Printing. Participants will experiment with cutting-edge tools and develop foundational skills in emerging tech, all while imagining the possibilities of the future.