WMP, formerly known as Westside Writing Project, has provided free media arts programming for area students since 2006. The program began as a column in a community newspaper, Nitty Gritty News, and provided an opportunity for area students to write about and discuss community issues that impacted their lives. A year later, WMP partnered with Chicago Commons to work with area students who went on to publish their own youth-centered community newsletter. Since then, WMP has conducted numerous digital media workshops for area students and produced a half-hour weekly local series discussing local news and currents events. Beginning in 2010, WMP partnered with local parks and area schools - bringing high-quality media arts programming and technology into the classrooms. Since its inception, WMP has provided digital media exposure and educational support to over 1,000 local students.
