The city of Aurora announced this week a new partnership between Aurora Community Television and Columbia College Chicago to share resources and produce new content for the station.

Dean of Columbia’s School of Media Arts Eric Freedman and ACTV Coordinator Alex Perez. (CREDIT: city of Aurora news release)

The partnership allows the city of Aurora the use of Columbia College content and resources to produce high-quality content.

In addition, Columbia College will share student interns with ACTV each semester to produce new, educational and Aurora-centric programming. In exchange, students will get credited hands-on experience in video production, editing and engineering while building their portfolios.

“Real world experience is at the heart of everything we do at Columbia College Chicago and what sets us apart,” said Columbia College Dean of the School of Media Arts Eric Freedman. “This partnership gives our students not just another opportunity to build their portfolios, but rather they get the edge of hands-on learning in real life settings that they need to pursue careers in highly competitive fields.”

This summer, ACTV will begin airing student-driven content from Columbia College, including daytime children’s programming, short-form documentaries, and late-night variety and animated shows.

“This partnership is a win-win for Aurora and Columbia College,” said ACTV Coordinator Alex Perez. “As a graduate of Columbia and a native Auroran, I am excited to see the progress that will be made as we enhance ACTV in both its traditional and more contemporary digital formats.”

Tune into Aurora Community Television on AT&T Channel 99, Comcast Channel 10, or online at www.aurora-il.org.

SOURCE: city of Aurora news release