JDS Creative Academy

JDS Creative Academy’s mission (JDSCA) is to foster creativity in all aspects of life. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting to dip your toes in the artistic world, our nonprofit provides a safe and inclusive environment for people of all abilities to express themselves and their creativity. From youths, teens, and adults to neurotypicals and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), JDSCA welcomes everyone with open arms.

Founders Diane and Scott Strand launched JDSCA in 2014 after recognizing the region’s need for arts-based programs. In the nonprofit's first year, JDSCA began offering extracurricular classes and programs that meet California’s K-12 VAPA education code requirements. The offerings have grown to include classes such as backstage production, fashion design, scriptwriting, acting, filmmaking, and photography. One of our unique programs is the annual Design / Build / HAUNT class, where participants learn about concept development, design, set building, special effects makeup, and acting, which transforms into our beloved Haunted Studio fundraiser—a community favorite that raises funds to support our nonprofit scholarship program, which allows everyone access to the arts.

In 2017, we launched DigiFest® Temecula, a three-day digital media festival with presenters, workshops, and entertainment that has quickly become a cornerstone of the Temecula Valley, filling the void left by the Temecula Valley Film and Music Festival. This event invites creatives to submit their work in various categories, including Short Film & Video, Graphic Design, Game Design, Music, Photography, Digital Art & Illustration, Podcasts, Website Design, Animation & Stop Motion, Music Video, Acting, and Scriptwriting. Participants who enter the competition have the chance to win a prestigious Digi Award, an Honorable Mention, and/or a People’s Choice and earn recognition from industry professionals. DigiFest® not only showcases local talent but also attracts submissions and attendees from across the state and globe, embodying our mission to spread the arts across America.

In addition to our festival, JDSCA has developed an apprenticeship curriculum approved by the State of California, providing pathways for career development. Then in May 2018, we introduced our Title-17 video production job-training program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), helping to equip participants with essential skills for employment in the arts and media sectors. This program highlights our belief in the power of creativity and innovation, demonstrating how the arts can foster personal and professional growth.

In October 2018, we proudly launched Riverside County’s first magazine-style local news and information television show, formerly known as Spirit of Innovation: News and Information, now rebranded as Spirit of Innovation: Arts Across America. This program, which broadcasts locally and nationwide, plays a critical role in promoting arts and culture while serving as a platform to spotlight local community members, nonprofit organizations, and business leaders.

As we look toward the future, we invite you to join us in our mission by supporting our campaign. Your generous contributions will assist with providing scholarships for JDSCA students, allowing these talented individuals to pursue their artistic passions regardless of their financial circumstances. With your help, we can enhance our vibrant creative events and expand our programming to reach even more members of our community, as well as support our mission to move the Arts Across America. Be an integral part of turning dreams into reality in the world of visual, performing, digital arts and creative entrepreneurship.

Together, we can nurture creativity, promote artistic expression, and empower the next generation of artists. Each donation helps us create opportunities for individuals to explore their talents, gain valuable skills, and connect with like-minded peers. Your support is vital to our mission, ensuring that the arts remain accessible and celebrated throughout our community and the nation.

Help JDSCA spread the Arts Across America. Thank you for believing in the power of creativity and for supporting the artists and creatives of tomorrow!

Our nonprofit, JDS Creative Academy, has repeatedly fulfilled its mission of fostering creativity, providing career pathways, and turning passions and dreams into reality for over 10 years. One of our premiere programs is our Title-17 Job Training program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This program provides workforce development training in a professional production studio environment, where participants learn valuable technical and soft skills in visual, performing, and digital arts. This experience prepares them for career opportunities in their desired chosen field.

Despite our success—evidenced by awards and heartfelt testimonials—many of our participants face a daunting hurdle: transitioning from intern to employee. Through the Inland Regional Center (IRC), participants have the opportunity to receive a year of dedicated training in a paid internship program (PIP). They are placed with a partnered business that aligns with their goals and aspirations. After a year in this PIP, these talented individuals often find themselves without a permanent employed position, regardless of their success with the company. We find that the employer does not have budget for an additional employee. The numbers tell a troubling story: only a small fraction of interns with IDD are offered full-time roles compared to their mainstream counterparts, despite statistics supporting that they are often better employees.

We believe it’s time to change this narrative. With your support, we aim to provide businesses with the necessary resources to successfully transition our day program participants from interns to employees. After one full year of an internship, JDSCA will foster this transition to employee by providing the employer with the funds to cover payroll, payroll taxes, and worker’s compensation costs for one year of employment with the company. This will make the participant a legal employee of that company. The goal is to successfully transition the participant from intern to employee, which will allow the employer to be invested in the value of the participant, and ease into the costs of creating a new job position.

Once the participant is an employee, they will have the same employment rights as any other employee. Should the company choose to not keep the employee participant they would have all the same rights, as any other terminated employee. The Breaking Employment Barrier program drives job creation and breaks down the workforce development barriers for an underserved and underrepresented community.

The funds raised by this campaign will also go to the salary for two new positions at JDS Creative Academy: a business development person to act as a liaison between JDSCA and potential employers, and a job coach that will mentor the participants during their internship and employment.

This initiative “Breaking the Employment Barrier” not only strengthens the workforce as a whole, but also fosters a sense of belonging and purpose for these remarkable individuals who we are looking to impact. The participants who transition from intern to employee will feel like valued team members, with the ability to contribute to their community and future growth by adding real resume credits to their experience history.

With your support, we can help break these barriers and create lasting change. By investing in our program, you’re not just helping individuals move their careers forward, you're also championing inclusion, diversity, and empowerment for all. Join us in this mission, and together, let’s create a future where everyone’s talents, skills, and abilities are celebrated and utilized. Thank you for believing in the power of opportunity and possibility!