Outlast Arts and Education, Inc

Outlast Arts and Education is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to celebrate, empower, and help advance Native and Black youth in South Dakota through media arts, education, and community building. Formed in 2015 and run by Native and BIPOC experts and Outlast graduates, Outlast was designed as a direct and urgent response to the systemic inequities that Native youth face. Outlast empowers youth to pursue self-determination and economic independence by equipping them with tools that will support them in being successful in numerous creative and professional endeavors.

In supporting the holistic well-being of Native youth, Outlast participants explore themes of social justice, mental health, and climate change, enabling them to sort through and navigate the significant issues impacting their lives and communities. After ten years of perfecting its holistic three-year model, Outlast is ready to expand and support more South Dakota youth.

For 9 years since its founding in 2015, Outlast has conducted a week-long summer film institute for up to 20 participants. In that time, Outlast found it was unable to meet the growing demand for its programming and that participants with whom we developed trust and relationships were expressing and exhibiting needs way beyond film education. For instance, several students continue to struggle with mental and emotional health, academic achievement, specifically in math and literacy, and access to language and cultural experiences and education.

To date, 230 youth have participated in Outlast's core programming, with 60 students returning for more than two years. Youth participating in Outlast leave with a wide range of skills and competencies. These include advanced filmmaking and project management abilities, improved academic performance—particularly in writing and media literacy—enhanced collaboration and team-building skills, and increased self-confidence.