LOS ANGELES- Each weekday, Jaime Zavala drives 25 miles from Eagle Rock to Venice, arriving before 9 a.m. at a two-story office on Beach Avenue, which he shares with his development manager. In a spacious two-story, sandy brown building painted with a tannish brown exterior, each room filled with a treasure trove of imagination.
Collages of newspaper clippings from student dream boards line the wall. Assortment of film props from costumes, figurines stored in book shelfs. A Chalk board Wall with scribbles of lettering.
“When I came to Venice Arts, I had the office all to myself – but it was fun to have somebody else with me,” said Jaime Zavala, executive director of Venice Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing an accessible community center with a commitment to nurturing creativity and possibilities in the lives of young individuals. “When I thought about young people who needed opportunity, if I can play a part in opening doors, whatever part I can play in helping that young person to have that opportunity. It’s was worth it for me to do whatever I can,”
Jaime’s family immigrated from Mexico in the early 1970s. Upon arrival, they had very little belongings and education. That didn’t stop Zavala. Rooted in Catholic faith, he took a liking to the Jesuits as his favorite order. “They’re a little bit rebellious-they are thinkers.” It’s this tradition that motivated Jaime to work his way through school. He attended Azusa Pacific University where he received a bachelor’s in communications study and obtained his master’s in education at UCLA. But he never forgets his upbringing, focusing on life for the service of others.
Instead of working for corporate media groups, Zalvala worked for nonprofits for over close to 30 years. He made his way to Venice Arts as the executive director in 2024 with no prior connections to the industry before.
“I had no clue how any of this works, I just got thrown into it because I’m the executive director of this organization that happens to have programming for training for young people who want to go into this sector.” Zavala says he’s seen the dark side of the industry, which originally consisted of unaccountability and a limited range of perspectives. That motivated Zavala to accept the role of shaping the industry’s outlook for future generations.
He’s been hard at work getting Venice Arts more recognition, including a fundraiser Gala hosted at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills that showcases student works for storytelling awards, and offering apprenticeship classes. An eight-week free pre-apprenticeship program happens three times a year every Spring, Summer, and Fall, with the program changing its offering two courses per year due to Government Budget cuts for non-Profits.
The program is designed to build your creative and technical knowledge and skills in digital storytelling and multimedia production, and to support you as you apply for on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and early career work in the creative sector. Receiving over 160 hours of hands-on training with Venice Arts Personal. Completing project-based assignments. Receiving mentorship and career development support. Graduates who complete all tasks receive a cash stipend and Adobe Primer Pro Professional Certificate.
“This morning, there are going to be 15 students coming in for six hours to get training in filmmaking, and I’ll hear them laughing. They’ll be doing projects, and I’ll come in to see them in action which bringing me so much joy,” Javala said.
Students and families were thankful to receive the curriculum. Under the watchful eyes of Jaime, he is looking into new property leases closer to not only a main street for more visibility; but also, the students on the East side of Los Angeles to reach a wide range of students to become future filmmakers of the world.
“A real thing on the west side it’s horrible driving in Marina Del Rey and Venice at 4:00. It’s impossible. Especially our location. It’s really really hard.” Said Zalvala.
In the afternoons, parents often faced long commutes, traffic, and extended waits while transporting their children to Venice Arts, making it difficult to manage family schedules. Zalvala recognized an opportunity for Venice Arts to compete with other after-school programs by offering free classes directly at the school in the future. This would allow students to access Venice Arts programming on campus, eliminating the need for additional travel.
Zalvala approached both his own life and the lives of others with curiosity. “We live in a world that can be so easily judgmental. But if we walk through life with a spirit of curiosity. With acceptance and love and charity, we will be better people and live in a better world,”
