Classes, Workshops, and Training

Happy New Year!

New classes now open for 2025

Unlock Your Creative Potential

At DCTV, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling. Our unique classes offer you the tools, expertise, and hands-on experience you need to craft meaningful stories that celebrate and uplift our communities. 

Your Voice, Amplified:

  • We're committed to helping you find and express your unique voice. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, our instructors tailor each class to what you want to accomplish. 

Access for All:

  • Our classes open to the public. If you are a DCTV Creative Member, you'll enjoy exclusive discounts and access to equipment, studios, and distribution.

Hands-On Learning:

  • You will have industry-standard equipment at your fingertips during our immersive single-day workshops and multi-session bootcamps. Covering the fundamentals of production, videography, editing, and more, our hands-on courses cater to all knowledge levels.  Currently, all learning opportunities are in-person at DCTV. Interested in remote classes? Send us a request at learn@dctv.org.

Community Connection:

  • Join a vibrant community of storytellers, creatives, and people who love media. Network, collaborate, and thrive in an environment that fosters innovation and growth.

Transformative Impact:

  • Stories have the power to change lives. At DCTV, we are dedicated to helping you harness that power to drive positive change in Washington, DC and beyond.

Discover, Create, Empower! Join us today and share your voice through the art of meaningful media.

"DCTV’s commitment to providing the tools necessary for a person to come in and learn and transfer those skills into a television program is fantastic."

Lou Phillips, Producer of The Clio Exchange(DCTV member since 2004)

DCTV Education Terms Explained:

DCTV Exclusive Certifications

DCTV Certifications provide Creative Members authorized access to specific equipment and resources exclusive to DCTV. These certifications, designed for specific equipment usage, require tests, including written and/or demonstrative assessments. Attaining certification ensures proficiency in effectively utilizing specialized tools within the DCTV environment, for successful project execution.

Ways you can obtain a DCTV certification*:

  • Are you a beginner or need a skills refresher?
    • Participate in a workshop or bootcamp
  • Already got production skills?
    • Test-out of the course
  • Need one on one attention?
    • Hire a DCTV instructor for private training in the subject & pass required tests

*fees required for all certifications

Certification Access Details:

  • Producing
    • Start a Member Producer Project to use DCTV Equipment and Facilities
    • Must have Producing Certification to start any project at DCTV
    • Test Out: Yes (fees apply)
  • Videography
    • Check out Field Camera kits
    • Volunteer on other DCTV Member Producer Projects
    • Must have Producing Certification to start a project at DCTV
    • Test Out: Yes (fees apply)
  • Editing
    • Reserve Editing Bays or Suites
    • Volunteer on other DCTV Member Producer Projects
    • Must have Producing Certification to start a project at DCTV
    • Test Out: Yes (fees apply)

Upcoming Certifications (Anticipated 2024-2025)

  • Television Studio Production
  • Green Screen Production
  • Video Podcast Production

 

NEW Rolling Labs:

Introducing our exciting new addition at DCTV – Rolling Labs! Creative Members with valid certification can schedule hands-on experience with equipment during Member Services Hours at our DCTV location. For off-site use, submit a project proposal, and we'll assist in making it a reality. Need one-on-one help? Check out our Private Training Opportunities.

Test-Out

Already have experience and want to become certified to use DCTV Equipment or Volunteer on another Member’s project? Discover our streamlined learning approach at DCTV with our Test Out option. Ideal for those with existing skills seeking certification for equipment and facility use, the Test Out allows you to assess your abilities by appointment. The straightforward test, aligned with our workshop and bootcamp assessments, is graded on a pass/fail basis, providing a convenient pathway to certification.

Private Training: 

For in-depth training on specific DCTV equipment, consider our Private Training sessions. Hire our expert DCTV Staff for personalized, hands-on guidance to enhance your proficiency and confidence in utilizing our cutting-edge resources for your creative visions.

The DCTV capacity building grant program offers eligible nonprofits an array of benefits that build organizational communications and storytelling capability and provides an ongoing presence on cable television. We designed these grants to offer training and expert guidance to the nonprofit community, which enables you to robustly expand your impact within the DC community.

“Grant Level” is the amount of money your organization contributes to receive the grant. The grant term is initially one year and requires a very small organizational match. DCTV will provide documentation so that you can appropriately record “in-kind” services in your financial records. Grants may be extended or renewed with DCTV approval.