For Ages 4-12
About School of the heARTS & Nineveh Treehouse® Village Learning Center's After School Film, Music, Acting & Multimedia Programs For Youth Ages 5-18 years old
School of the heARTS & Nineveh Treehouse Village Learning Center's After-School Programs provides age- appropriate, project-based learning for youth ages 5–18, using film, music, and multimedia production as workforce development tools. Participants gain hands-on experience by assisting our staff/production team in the development of the Nineveh® Fantasy Series, an original multimedia project integrating ebooks, storytelling, music production, acting, film, set design, performance, and digital media. Our programs build creative, technical, and employability skills while fostering confidence, collaboration, and career awareness across three developmental levels: Elementary, Middle School, and High School.
Statement of Need: Youth in underserved communities often lack access to: Workforce development opportunities before adulthood. Arts education that leads to employable skills. Safe, structured afterschool and enrichment programs. Research consistently shows that early workforce exposure, mentorship, creative expression, and positive peer engagement are protective factors that reduce involvement in violence and risky behaviors. School of the heARTS & Nineveh Treehouse Village Learning Center addresses these needs by engaging youth in meaningful, skill-building programs that builds confidence, purpose, and future employment opportunities.
Program Design & Age-Appropriate Learning Model For Youth Ages 5-10 Years Old
Creative Exploration & Foundational Skills Focus: Exposure, imagination, teamwork, and basic creative skills Activities include:
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Storytelling and character development
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Introductory music creation (rhythm, vocals, sound effects)
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Acting, voice acting, movement, and on-camera confidence
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Simple set design and prop creation
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Guided participation in age-appropriate scenes or music elements of the Nineveh
Treehouse Village fantasy kids TV series
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Workforce Skills Introduced:
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Listening and following directions
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Teamwork and communication
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Creative expression and confidence
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Task completion and responsibility
Program Design & Age-Appropriate Learning Model For Youth Ages 11-14 Years Old
Skill Development & Career Awareness Focus: Skill-building, collaboration, and understanding creative careers Activities include:
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Script writing and storyboarding
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Music production basics (beats, recording, vocals)
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Acting, directing, and basic cinematography
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Introduction to editing software and sound mixing
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Production roles (assistant director, production assistant, sound assistant)
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Workforce Skills Developed:
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Time management
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Problem-solving
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Collaboration and peer leadership
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Creative decision-making
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Introduction to multimedia career pathways
Workforce Training & Career Readiness For Youth Ages 15-18 Years Old
Focus: Real-world production experience and professional skill development
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Activities include:
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Advanced music production, scene scoring, and sound design
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Camera operation, lighting, editing, and post-production
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Script development and production planning
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On-set roles assisting professional filmmakers and producers
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Resume building, portfolio development, and career mentoring
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Workforce Skills Strengthened:
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Professional communication
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Leadership and accountability
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Technical proficiency
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Project management
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Career readiness and job preparedness
Project-Based Learning Model
All participants learn through hands-on participation in the real production of the Nineveh® Fantasy Series. Students are not simulating work—they are contributing meaningfully to a professional creative project.
This model:
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Reinforces learning through real outcomes
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Builds pride and ownership
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Mirrors industry workflows
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Provides tangible portfolio materials
Program Objectives
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Provide workforce development training to youth ages 5–18 through hands-on film and music production.
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Increase creative and technical skills in music, media, and storytelling.
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Build employability skills including teamwork, communication, responsibility, and
leadership.
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Expose participants to creative career pathways in film, music, and digital media.
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Engage youth in positive, constructive afterschool, weekend and summer
enrichment opportunities that support academic and personal growth.
Quantifiable Outcomes & Evaluation Measures
Participation & Completion
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90% of enrolled students will complete the program cycle
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100% of participants will engage in at least one production role
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Skill Development
• 80% of participants will demonstrate improved creative or technical skills, measured by:
o Pre-and post-program skill assessments
o Instructor evaluations
o Completed creative work (music tracks, scenes, scripts, or technical tasks)
Workforce Readiness
• 75% of middle and high school participants will demonstrate increased workforce readiness skills, measured by:
o Attendance and punctuality records
o Teamwork and communication rubrics
o Completion of assigned production responsibilities
Career Awareness
• 85% of middle and high school participants will identify at least one creative career path they are interested in pursuing, measured through:
o Post-program surveys
o Reflection activities or interviews
Measurement & Data Collection Methods
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Attendance and participation logs
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Pre- and post-program surveys
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Instructor observation rubrics
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Portfolio reviews
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Student self-reflections
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Parent and guardian feedback
Community Impact
• Creates early access to workforce development in creative industries
• Provides positive, structured opportunities for youth
• Builds confidence, self-expression, and leadership
• Prepares older youth for education, employment, and entrepreneurship
Rufus Morris Jr. is a film and music producer, author and educator passionate about inspiring and empowering young minds. He is the creative force behind Kingdom Entertainment Studios, Nineveh Treehouse Village Learning Studio, School of the heARTS and the highly anticipated fantasy novel Nineveh®. "Believing is Seeing" is the first volume in the captivating Nineveh® Fantasy Books and Audiobook Series, designed for readers of all ages.
A native of Syracuse, New York, and now based in Atlanta, Ga. Morris’s multifaceted career has been a testament to his unwavering commitment to making a positive impact. In his earlier years, he made waves in the music industry as "Skratch," releasing his first professional rap music record in 1989. As an accomplished recording artist, popular DJ and radio personality on Power 102.1FM, a radio station Morris co-owned and operated he became a neighborhood celebrity and entrepreneur, owning multiple businesses.
However, as he watched his community grapple with rising crime, violence, and youth mental health issues, he realized the profound impact of the culture he was contributing to. In 2001, driven by his faith and a desire to make a positive difference, he founded the School of the heARTS Film & Music Academy, a non-profit 501c3 youth training organization, and Kingdom Entertainment Studios®, a film and music production company dedicated to creating positive and inspiring content through films, music, books, and other multimedia platforms.
In his Nineveh® Fantasy Book series, Rufus weaves a rich tapestry of lessons and messages, encompassing themes of friendship, teamwork, sacrifice, faith and overcoming fears. Readers are guided on a transformative journey that addresses issues like substance abuse, loss and empowers them to persevere in pursuing their dreams despite adversity.
Rufus Morris Jr.'s passion for empowering youth shines through his work. His dedication has been recognized with program funding awards and "best practices" recognition from the New York State Education Department, Syracuse City School District and the US Department of Education. He has also collaborated with Atlanta's Fulton County Arts & Culture organization to develop Film and Music summer programs for at-risk inner-city youth.
About
Rufus Morris Jr.
