Training the Next Generation of Storytellers

Our youth programs focus on hands-on learning, mentorship, and creative expression. We offer a variety of pathways that help young people develop technical and leadership skills while creating original media projects.

Coastal North Carolina is a region shaped by its waterways, history, and the resilience of its people. From fishing villages and maritime traditions to a deep storytelling heritage, the coast is home to communities that have long relied on creativity, resourcefulness, and connections. This region has inspired generations of artists, writers, and musicians, yet it also faces challenges—from economic shifts to environmental changes—that make it essential to invest in young voices. At Narrative Arts, we believe in the power of storytelling to honor the past, capture the present, and imagine the future. By training the next generation of storytellers, we help ensure that the cultural richness of coastal North Carolina continues to thrive, evolve, and be heard on a broader stage.

Coastal Youth Media (CYM) trains young storytellers in audio, video, and digital production. Through workshops, hands-on labs, and mentorship, participants develop professional media skills while producing original content.  Working from our homebase in New Hanover county we work with regional youth providing hands-on skills. 

Youth Media & Documentary Training

• SUMMER INSTITUTE 
• Documentary & Filmmaking Labs – Young filmmakers work alongside experienced media professionals to write, direct, shoot, and edit short documentaries that explore the people and places that make our region unique.
• Podcast & Radio Production – Participants learn how to craft engaging stories for both online and broadcast audiences, from hosting interviews to recording soundscapes.

Youth Creative Writing & Poetry Workshops

• Our writing workshops give young people a space to develop their voices through poetry, spoken word, and creative nonfiction.
• Participants work with professional writers and artists to sharpen their storytelling skills and bring personal experiences to life through language.
• Often these workshops produce media productions or end with a public performance. 

Workforce & Leadership Development

• Skill-Building for the Creative Economy – We prepare young people for careers in media, communications, and the arts by providing training in digital storytelling, production, editing, and content creation.
• Peer Training & Mentorship – Older youth take on leadership roles, teaching younger participants and gaining real-world experience in facilitation, collaboration, and media production.
• Community-Based Projects – Youth work with local organizations to create projects that support their communities—whether through oral history collections, short films, or radio stories.

Where Our Alumni Go

Our programs build real-world skills that participants take into college, careers, and creative pursuits. Alumni have gone on to:

Work in radio, journalism, and digital media
Produce films and documentary projects
Continue their education in the media field
Lead storytelling initiatives in their communities

By combining technical training, creative expression, and community engagement, we prepare young people for success in a world that needs their stories.

Join Us

Are you 

a young person looking to explore media and storytelling?
an educator or organization interested in partnering?
a supporter who believes in the power of youth storytelling?

Contact us at info@narrativearts.org

Visit our youth media lab in Wilmington, NC

Learn more about our dedicated media training program