A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
MAKING THE NEXT GENERATION OF
MEDIA CREATORS
Nerdmaker is a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to hands-on education and real-world experience across media, technology and the creative arts.
We’re nerds making nerds, by creating hands-on opportunities for emerging creators to turn curiosity into skills, skills into work, and work into careers across film, games, art, technology, media and more.
NERDS MAKING NERDS
CREATIVITY NEEDS A PLACE TO GROW
TO BECOME EXPERIENCE
Traditional education teaches foundational skills. Creative industries demand something more: collaboration, production experience, adaptability, portfolios and an understanding of how ideas move from concept to reality.
We are that place of growth they need in addition to college.
This hands-on program gives them the essential real-world experience they need to launch their careers, designed to complement and complete the traditional university classroom by turning what they learn into what they can actually do.
We’re creators, storytellers, technologists, artists and obsessive problem-solvers helping the next generation of nerds become the same in the following areas:
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Film and Video Production
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Game Design + Development
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3D Printing and Digital Fabrication
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Practical Effects and Production design
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Interactive and Experiential Media
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Entertainment Marketing + Strategy
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Writing and Story Development
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Transmedia Storytelling
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2D + 3D Animation
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Emerging Creative Technology
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Illustration, Art + Design
TALENT EXISTS EVERYWHERE
BUT ACCESS DOES NOT
Our mission places particular emphasis on expanding opportunities for neurodivergent creators and people with disabilities who have historically faced additional barriers entering creative industries.
We believe accessibility should be part of how creative education is designed from the beginning.
THE EMPIRE STATE MEDIA + TECHNOLOGY LAB
The Empire State Media + Technology Lab is Nerdmaker’s workforce-development and experiential-learning initiative connecting emerging creators with the skills, technologies and professional experience required by today’s creative industries.
Participants move through a pipeline designed to connect:
Education → Applied Training → Portfolio Development → Production Experience → Paid Employment → Creative Careers.
HELP US BUILD THE NEXT CREATIVE WORKFORCE
In a time of rapid technological development and a fluctuating job market, transferable skills are more important than ever. That's why Nerdmaker is developing partnerships with colleges, universities, media companies, production companies, cultural organizations, workforce-development organizations and technology partners.
Our goal is not only to create a new workforce but to also empower people to become indie creators able to make a living in a fast moving world.
HELP SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Partner with Nerdmaker to help turn education into experience
Nerdmaker builds sustainable partnerships with higher education, creative employers, foundations, grantmakers and sponsors to expand access to real-world media training and career opportunities.
HELP US CREATE OPPORTUNITY
Let’s make something that matters.
For donations, partnerships, educational collaborations, funding opportunities, mentorship, professional opportunities and general inquiries:
CREATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF STORYTELLERS
Whether you represent an academic institution, a philanthropic organization, or a creative enterprise, we offer clear pathways to collaborate, co-develop curricula, and mentor rising industry leaders.
FAQ
Learn more about how Nerdmaker operates, how our training model works, and how our partner network benefits both students and employers.
CONTACT US
Rochester, New York
United States
Office hours
Mon - Fri: 9:00am - 6:00pm PST
Sat - Sun: Closed
Direct contact
Connect with us