By: J.J. Pavlick | New York, NY | June 19, 2026 |
New Workforce Initiative Offers Free Training in Music Production, Content Creation, Graphic Design and More Across Multiple CUNY Campuses
NEW YORK — The NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and the NYC Department of Small Business Services on Tuesday announced the launch of the “Made in NY” Media Academy, a new workforce development program designed to prepare New Yorkers for in‑demand jobs across the city’s media and entertainment sectors. The initiative, offered at no cost to participants, will be delivered through continuing education programs at several CUNY colleges, including Queensborough Community College, Kingsborough Community College, and Hunter College.
The announcement took place at Queensborough Community College and featured a tour of the school’s music facilities and a live masterclass in music production led by Grammy Award–winning producer Kid Capri.
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani said the Academy reflects the city’s commitment to expanding access to creative careers.
“New York City’s creative economy is powered by working people—the musicians, designers, editors, and producers whose talent and labor make this city the cultural capital of the world,” Mamdani said. “The ‘Made in NY’ Media Academy will open doors to creative careers for more New Yorkers, providing free training for jobs that are hiring right now.”
Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su emphasized that the program is designed to break down long‑standing barriers to entry in media fields.
“For a long time, getting into that world depended on who you knew, not what you could do,” Su said. “The ‘Made in NY’ Media Academy changes that. It’s free training on real industry equipment, with a credential and job placement support at the other end of it.”
Three Bootcamps to Launch First: Music Production, Content Creation, Graphic Design
The Academy’s initial offerings include three intensive bootcamps tailored to labor market demand:
Music Production Bootcamp — Queensborough Community College
A 10‑week program combining studio‑based training with hands‑on production experience. Labor market analysis identified more than 170 job postings in the past year for roles such as music producers, sound designers, and engineering technicians. Graduates will receive job placement support with employers including Dead Zone Production, J&D Warren Music, Likeable Media, Prime Content, Quirk Creative, Studio Center, and Truluvent.
Content Creation Bootcamp — Kingsborough Community College
A seven‑week program focused on digital storytelling, video editing, and multimedia production. Employer demand across related occupations—including writers, editors, producers, directors, and public relations specialists—totaled more than 2,800 job postings over the past year. Median wages in these fields range from $68,400 to $70,400 annually.
Graphic Design Bootcamp — Hunter College
An 11‑week, 100‑hour program preparing New Yorkers for entry‑level roles in graphic design and multimedia content creation. Participants will train in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator; complete a capstone portfolio; and receive paid micro‑internships with employers such as Bloomberg, Hearst, NBCUniversal, ABC News, Warner Bros. Discovery, Penguin Random House, News Corp, and others.
Hunter will serve 30 underrepresented New Yorkers in its first year and provide transit assistance, a Hunter College credential, and direct job placement support.
Eligibility and Job Placement Support
Applicants must be New York City residents, age 18 or older, authorized to work in the United States, and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Participants must earn under $60,000 annually if employed and commit to the full training schedule. CUNY will facilitate job placements for graduates with employers in their respective fields.
City Leaders Emphasize Access, Mobility and Industry Alignment
MOME Commissioner Rafael Espinal said the Academy is designed to evolve with the industry.
“Rather than focus on a single occupation, the Academy’s offerings will evolve in response to real‑time labor market shifts and emerging demands across the media sector,” Espinal said.
SBS Commissioner Kenny Minaya highlighted the city’s role as a global creative hub.
“Made in NY will both connect homegrown talent with jobs in the entertainment industry and equip them with the skills to thrive in an ever‑changing environment,” Minaya said.
CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said the Academy reflects CUNY’s mission of upward mobility.
“We’re providing targeted, no‑cost training for diverse local talent to launch careers in our city’s iconic creative sector,” he said.
Presidents from Queensborough, Kingsborough, and Hunter each underscored the importance of linking academic training to real‑world opportunities.
A New Pathway Into New York’s Creative Economy
The “Made in NY” Media Academy represents a significant expansion of the city’s workforce development strategy, aligning public institutions, industry partners, and labor market data to create direct pathways into high‑growth creative fields. With free training, industry-standard equipment, and job placement support, the Academy aims to open doors for New Yorkers historically excluded from media and entertainment careers.
As Kid Capri told students during his masterclass, “Always remember to hit Control S”—a reminder to save your work, but also a nod to the next generation of creators preparing to build their careers in the media capital of the world.
Discover more from Bad Dawg Media Group
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
