Arts, Media, and Design
LAVC Arts, Media, and Design palette logo with title Valley College name

Welcome to the Arts, Media, and Design Career and Academic Pathway (CAP)

Valley College’s Arts, Media, and Design Career and Academic Pathway (AMD CAP) is for students who enjoy self-expression across a variety of different mediums. Students can study art in fields such as Studio Art to refine their craft in art production or Graphic Design to prepare students for positions in the industry. 


If you are a currently enrolled student and in the AMD CAP, click on the button below to join the AMD CAP Canvas site, the one-stop hub to help you succeed and complete your pathway at LAVC.  

Join the AMD CAP Canvas site 

Arts, Media, and Design

Program Mapper

Want to explore the majors in this CAP and see what classes you would take?  We have a great tool available to help you plan your college and career path. 

Arts, Media, and Design Program Mapper

AMD CAP Programs & Departments

In the AMD CAP, students can major in music (with either performance or commercial focus), theater (acting, directing, or technical focus), art (studio art or graphic design), or photography (creative/commercial or photojournalism). Students interested in radio, film, and television can major in broadcasting (with a performance, radio, or tv focus) or cinema/media arts (with a focus on directing, producing, screenwriting, post-production, or visual effects). Students majoring in Journalism will learn about reporting and producing multimedia content, including options for focusing on either magazines or newspapers. 

AMD Areas of Study

Click on the tabs below to access information about each Area of Study

Art Studio Area of Study

Graphic Design Area of Study

Art Department

 Art Department Chair: Kathryn Queen, @email

 

Broadcasting Area of Study

 Media Arts Department

 Media Arts Department Chair: Eric Swelstad, @email  

Cinema Area of Study

 Media Arts Department

 Media Arts Department Chair: Eric Swelstad, @email  

Dance Area of Study

Theater and Dance Department 

 Theater and Dance Department Chair: Jennifer Read, @email  

English Area of Study 

English Department 

English Department Chair – Holly Batty, @email  

Humanities Area of Study 

History, Humanities, Law, Political Science (HHLP) Department 

HHLP Chair – Michelle Visco, @email 

Journalism Area of Study

 Media Arts Department

 Media Arts Department Chair: Eric Swelstad, @email  

Noncredit offers tuition-free courses intended to provide students with lifelong learning and college and career preparation opportunities. Noncredit courses are not applicable to a degree.  

 Continuing Education (Noncredit) Department

 Continuing Education Department Chair – Lilit Davoyan, @email

Media Arts Area of Study

Media Arts Department

Media Arts Department Chair: Eric Swelstad, @email  

Noncredit offers tuition-free courses intended to provide students with lifelong learning and college and career preparation opportunities. Noncredit courses are not applicable to a degree.  

Continuing Education (Noncredit) Department

Continuing Education Department Chair – Lilit Davoyan, @email

Photography Area of Study

Media Arts Department

Media Arts Department Chair: Eric Swelstad, @email  

 

Theater Area of Study

 Theater and Dance Department

 Theater and Dance Department Chair: Jennifer Read, @email  

 

Meet Your LAVC Support Network

Your CAP is a network of people who are available to help you with your academic, career, and personal goals. Some of your community include Professors, Counselors, Success Coaches, Librarians, and Tutors. 

The career transfer center supports you in reaching your career and educational goals. We can help you discover your dream career, identify majors that can help you get there, and develop the skills needed to land an internship or job. If you are unsure about your major or career, considering changing your major, or need help finding work, the Career Transfer Center is there for you.  We can support you in making informed career decisions, building your resume, developing your interviewing and networking skills, and searching for jobs & internships. Visit the Career Transfer Center web page to make an appointment with a career specialist, sign up for a workshop, and learn about our upcoming career events. 
 
Visit the Career Transfer Center 
 
Examples of Questions to Ask a Member of the Career Transfer Center: 

  • What steps can I take to learn about what career and major best align with my interests, values, and skills? 

  • What career opportunities are available within the major I am considering? 

  • What internships or other opportunities are available to help me develop my job readiness skills? 

  • What jobs are available in my area of interest? 

  • How can I prepare myself to increase my chances of securing a job? 

  • Which career community is best for me based on my interests? 

Counselors are available to answer your academic, career, and personal questions and to help you to develop an educational plan. Counselors can help you plan out your semester-by-semester course selections to maximize your chances of completing your degree, certificate and/or transfer goals. They can also help you learn how to choose a career, major, and transfer institution and provide strategies for being academically and personally successful. Be sure to visit your counselor regularly to update your education plan based on your major and transfer goals. Make an appointment with a counselor here: 

Visit Counseling 
 
Examples of Questions to Ask Your Counselor: 

  • Can we review my Student Educational Plan (SEP)?

  • What courses should I take to meet my career/academic goal(s)? 

  • How do I receive credit for AP (Advanced Placement) test scores? 

  • How do I receive credit for coursework completed at another college? 

  • How many classes should I take each term?  

  • How many units are needed to meet my academic goal?  

  • How can I improve my current academic standing? 

LAVC Librarians are experts in academic research and citation. We can guide you through all phases of the research process: understanding research assignments, selecting a topic, developing research strategies, finding credible sources, and citing information. We provide one-on-one research assistance at the Reference Desk every hour the library is open, and 24/7 live chat support online. No appointment is required. 
 
Get Your questions answered by a librarian anytime, anywhere! 
 
Chat Now 
 
Examples of Questions to a Librarian:  
 

  • How do I use library databases to find resources relevant to my assignment?  

  • Can you help me understand my research assignment?  

  • How can I determine if the information I found online is credible?   

  • How do I cite an image I found online?  

  • What’s the difference between MLA and APA citation format? 

Professors can provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in your academic and professional careers. You can reach your instructor through their LAVC email, which you can find using the directory link on the LAVC website.  You can also find their preferred contact information through the course syllabus. The syllabus will also provide information about faculty office hours, which are times outside of class specifically designated for meeting with students. Office hours sometimes referred to as faculty drop-in hours are a great place to ask questions and build professional relationships with faculty members.  It is important to get to know your professors, especially in your major, because they can provide valuable career and/or transfer advice and may be able to provide references/letters of recommendation when you need them. 

Reach out to Professors via email, during office hours, or on Canvas. 

LAVC Directory of Email Address

Examples of Questions to Ask Your Professors: 

  • Can you please clarify this assignment?  

  • How can I best prepare for your exams? 

  • What strategies do you recommend for reading the materials/texts in your class?  

  • Where can I go for tutoring and/or supplemental instruction? 

  • What are the common habits of your best students? 

  • Why did you decide to major in this field? 

Student Success Coaches are available to help you adjust to all aspects of college including how to do well in your classes, how to connect to clubs and other opportunities to make friends, and how to find school/life balance.  We are your advocates and partners here to help you navigate college successfully and can connect you to a wide range of support and resources both on and off campus. We will reach out by email to introduce ourselves, so be sure to check your LACCD email regularly.   
 
Examples of Questions to Ask A Success Coach 
 

  • Where can I go for help with _______________? 

  • How do I navigate Canvas or my student email? 

  • I got this email from LAVC. What does it mean? 

  • How do I choose which professors might be a good match for me?  

  • I am struggling with balancing school, work, and other responsibilities, what advice do you have? 

  • I am experiencing food and/or housing insecurity.  Who can I reach out to for help?   

  • I need to see a counselor.  What should I do to prepare before I go so I get the most out of my appointment? 

Tutoring is a powerful tool that all students should take advantage of, whether or not they are struggling in a class. Tutors are LAVC students who can help you in a wide range of subjects and can also model the techniques, strategies, and beliefs that successful learners use to acquire new knowledge, solve problems, and complete academic tasks. In short, tutors help LAVC students develop the skills they’ll need to do their work independently. 

We offer tutoring and academic support in a wide variety of subjects as well as provide resources like study rooms, laptop/book use, and instructional handouts.  

Visit the Academic Resource Center  (ARC) website to connect with a tutor in person or online! 

Academic Resource Center
 
Examples of Questions to ask a Tutor:  

  • What are some things you did to be successful in your courses? 

  • Is there anything I can do before I ask for tutoring to help my session be productive?  

  • As a student, do you have any general advice on being a student here at LAVC? 

  • What are some outside resources and/or tips I can use to help me prepare for an exam? 

CAP In Action

The Arts, Media, and Design CAP is a dynamic and engaging pathway that provides opportunities to experience art and culture across of variety of mediums.  

Los Angeles Valley College Art Gallery serves as a resource for students and the greater community of the San Fernando Valley. Presenting ambitious visual arts exhibitions, lectures and collaborative partnerships, we provide a dynamic platform for dialogue, inquiry, and discovery.

Dance Performances are offered through the LAVC Dance Program, which is part of the Department of Theatre and Dance and is located in the North Gym. We offer day and evening classes in a variety of dance disciplines, including Hip-Hop, Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Salsa, Pilates, Choreography, Dance Production, Dance History, and Dance for Film and Stage. We are committed to the value of dance as a creative outlet, cultural product, and scholarly pursuit. In our commitment to serving the entire community, our classes provide opportunities to experience dance in a supportive educational environment and include personal attention, faculty and peer evaluation, and numerous performance and choreographic opportunities.

Stay tuned!

KVCM.Live is an all digital lab. It is run in combination with Broadcasting classes and the Broadcasting club at LAVC. The purpose is for students to be able to express their ideas, thoughts, stories, and music in a radio and podcasting setting to further their educational goals in relation to media.

The mission of the Museum is to collect, preserve, and promote historical artifacts as it relates to the history of the San Fernando Valley.

LAVC Historial Museum

 

The Music Department coordinates Music Concerts and Performances each semester.  Check out our Google Doc Calendar or join our Music Department Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/130309925594 or email @email

If you need accommodation, due to a disability, to participate in the events listed above, please contact (818) 947-2346 at least 5 business days in advance of a concert.

Situated at the crossroads of L.A.’s theater, film, and television industries, the Theater Arts department coordinates Theater Performances and LAVC strives to integrate high professional standards with broad educational goals and maximum student opportunity; the Theater Arts faculty and staff comprise a rare combination of dedicated educators and experienced professionals, and the department’s programs mix a vibrant production schedule with a comprehensive slate of classes serving both traditional and non-traditional students and campus and community audiences.

Student Clubs within the CAP

Student clubs are a great way to network within the CAP, connect with other students, and explore topics related to the CAP. 

Broadcasting Club: Contact kvcm@ecom888.com

Cinema Club:  Contact Chad Sustin at sustinca@ecom888.com

Valley Collegiate Players: Contact Jennifer Read at readjl@ecom888.com

In addition to the CAP specific clubs, the Associated Student Union (ASU) also has numerous clubs for students. Visit the ASU website for more information. 

Arts, Media, and Design Programs

Credit English as a Second Language (ESL)
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Advanced ESL Milestone - Pathway to Broadcasting C
Advanced ESL Milestone - Pathway to Cinema/Media Arts C
Advanced ESL Milestone - Pathway to Music C
Art History
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Art History AA-T AA
Graphic Design
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Art: Graphic Design AA
Graphic Design C
Art Studio
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Art: Studio AA
Studio Arts AA-T
Broadcasting
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Broadcasting AA
Broadcasting: Performance AA C
Broadcasting: Radio AA C
Broadcasting: Television AA C
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Business of Entertainment C
DaVinci Resolve Techniques C
Film, Television, and Electronic Media AS-T
Gig Economy Careers in Entertainment C
On-Set Camera and DIT Skills C
Cinema
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Cinema Arts Production AA C
Cinema Arts Theory AA C
Commercial Music
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Commercial Music AA
Commercial Music: Instrumental/Vocal Performer C
Commercial Music: Jazz Studies C
Commercial Music: Music Arranging C
Commercial Music: Music Notation C
Engineering Graphics and Design
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Computer Graphics/Design C
English
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
English AA-T
Humanities
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Humanities AA
Journalism
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Journalism AA-T
Journalism: Magazine AA C
Journalism: Newspaper AA C
Adult Education
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Media Arts - Career Prep
Media Arts
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Media Arts - Directing AA C
Media Arts - Post-Production AA C
Media Arts - Producing AA C
Media Arts - Screenwriting AA C
Media Arts: Core Studies C
Media Arts: Visual Effects AA C
Music
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Music AA-T AA
Music Technology
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Music Technology C
Photography-Photojournalism
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Photography AA C
Theater Arts
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Theater Arts AA
Theater Arts: Acting AA
Theater Arts: Directing AA
Theater Arts: Technical AA
Theater Production C
Theatre Arts AA-T