By Christopher Tiffany, University of Michigan School of Education Young women in the Detroit School of Arts’ 11^th and 12^th grades recently had the opportunity to participate in Cranbrook’s “Women in Photojournalism” workshop. The Detroit School of Arts (DSA) is a performing and fine art public high school in midtown Detroit that provides, through a partnerships with organizations like the University of Michigan School of Education and the Knight Foundation, resources and opportunities for students to explore and excel in the fields of theater, voice, orchestra, band, dance, visual arts, music tech, and radio/television/broadcasting.

Four young women from DSA majoring in Visual Arts and Music Technology participated in the workshop onsite at Cranbrook. Located in the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills, Cranbrook is a leading center of education, science, and art. Cranbrook features an arts academy and museum, plus Pre-K through 12 independent college preparatory Schools on its extensive campus.

Designed to provide participants with the tools and the experience to help them tell their own stories and the stories of others through photojournalism, the workshop was offered to DSA students free of charge. Taking place on several Saturdays from November 2014 through January 2015, transportation, lunch, and cameras were provided to all participants. Students were allowed to keep the cameras and each had the chance to win one of two $1,000 scholarships. Participating students also came from the Detroit International Academy and from Cranbrook.

The “Women in Photojournalism” workshop ran in conjunction with the “Women of Vision” exhibit on display at Cranbrook Institute of Science. Sponsored by PNC, “Women of Vision” showcased nearly 100 photographs from National Geographic produced by 11 award-winning female photojournalists.

A reception was held at Cranbrook on January 17, 2015 where scholarship winners were announced. DSA Visual Art senior Cierra Dillard won a $1,000 scholarship toward her college tuition. Cranbrook administration also extended offers to DSA students to come back for internships and other resources and opportunities.