Accessability, diversity and inclusivity:
that's the AMES attitude towards people.
AMES exists to empower people from groups that are marginalized, whether through 'race', gender, ethnicity, class, ability, and/or sexual orientation, by providing access to media training and technology in order that their perspectives might be heard and seen.
All of our programs are participant-driven, and thus strive to include the various communities we serve; to represent the realities of their circumstances; and to be held accountable to their interests.
AMES is guided by a Board of Directors that includes teachers, professors, community workers, students, film-makers, artists and activists.
Our expertise lies in taking a back seat, and letting the expertise of our participants do the talking. Their experience of social exclusion gives them a privileged insight; our programs show them the capacity they have to advocate on their own behalf. The end product? Persuasive and compelling educational materials that help others 'un-learn' prejudice.
Our front-line work is undertaken by a committed team of mentors and volunteers, qualified by their ability to communicate with their peers, and through their background as members of marginalized communities. Many of them are graduates of previous AMES programs: a sign that our our work to promote media literacy and education to challenge prejudice and stereotypes is a gift that keeps giving.
Keeping the whole show running smoothly, our permanent staff on Galiano devise and implement our programs, build community partnerships, arrange funding and generally run themselves ragged to ensure that our students get the most out of the AMES experience.
Last, but certainly not least, our sponsors and community partners provide two different but equally vital roles in assisting our work. The generous sponsorship we receive from public and private organizations (local and national) ensures that our work not only continues, but expands its scope; and the grassroots knowledge and support brought by our community partners ensures that our programs properly address the needs of the groups we target.