November 19, 2025
The California Arts Council has announced a grant award of $20,500 to Outside The Lens as part of its Arts and Youth program during its 2025-26 fiscal year grant cycle.
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August 8, 2025
Outside The Lens (OTL) invites families and educators to a free Open House on Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 4-6 PM. The event at OTL's headquarters (125 14th Street, San Diego, CA 92101) features hands-on media arts activities, food, and a chance to see films, photography and other artwork created by local youth.
June 18, 2025
It's official – Outside the Lens Day is June 18th! ✨ Our Executive Director Sarah Beckman was honored to receive the proclamation from Janet Barragan of the San Diego County Supervisors right here at the Wonder Lab. This recognition celebrates our role in the Live Well San Diego movement, where we join 500+ organizations building healthier, safer communities by empowering youth voices through media arts education.
May 22, 2025
In a celebration of creativity, cultural identity, and emerging talent, 25 Puente Project students from San Diego City College will showcase their original short films at Digital Gym Cinema—transforming personal poetry into powerful visual narratives through a groundbreaking collaboration with Outside The Lens (OTL).
This May, The Front Arte y Cultura comes alive with stories of environmental justice, healing, and belonging as Outside The Lens (OTL) presents the culminating exhibition of "Land + Lenses" – a groundbreaking community arts initiative that has bridged generations and ecosystems across San Diego's border neighborhoods.
The Wonder Lab in San Diego's vibrant East Village transformed into a dynamic gallery space on May 3, 2025, as Outside The Lens (OTL) hosted its second annual Voice Out exhibition. Drawing 203 attendees, including 150 young artists, the event created a powerful platform for youth creative expression centered on the theme of "change."
Outside The Lens's annual Voice Out exhibition once again showcased the extraordinary talents of young creators from across San Diego , with 12 youth artists awarded top three prizes in each category. The 2025 exhibition featured powerful works spanning photography, mixed media, and digital art from youth ages 8-19.
April 2, 2025
Through the power of Virtual Reality (VR), we’re giving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the tools to explore, create, and express themselves in ways never before possible.
Environmental education and creative expression are powerful tools for shaping the next generation of advocates for our planet. Outside The Lens (OTL), through the support of the California Coastal Commission’s Whale Tail® grant, successfully integrated these two elements, providing students with hands-on experiences that inspire environmental stewardship and media arts skills.
Outside The Lens (OTL) is thrilled to announce the return of "Voice Out," its second annual juried youth media arts exhibition, taking place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at The Wonder Lab in San Diego’s vibrant East Village. Young artists from across San Diego will showcase their bold creativity through photography, mixed media, short films, and animation offering their unique perspectives on the world.
March 13, 2025
Stephanie Zuniga Honored at Women of Impact Ceremony OTL Intern Stephanie Zuniga received the prestigious Women of Impact award on March 8, presented by Assemplymember Boerner. Stephanie earned this recognition by helping shape the NextGen Voices program, creating opportunities for teens and transition age youth to improve their well-being and build confidence, vocational skills, and […]
March 12, 2025
Outside The Lens Visits Washington, D.C. for the 2025 Creative Forces Conference In early 2025, two Media Arts Educators from Outside the Lens (OTL), Eiram Torres and Natalie Devitt, embarked on an inspiring journey to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Creative Forces Conferences. Creative Forces is an initiative of the National Endowment for the […]
May 15, 2026 | 5–7PMMuseum of Contemporary Art San Diego700 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA
May 16, 2026 | 3–5PMSan Diego Central Library330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA
