(gentle music) - MODA stands for mecca of digital arts.

It's a state-of-art innovation lab and production studio powered by the Harvey B. Gantt Center.

We are so fortunate to have the cutting-edge equipment ranging from IMAX cameras, iPads, VR headsets, DMX lighting controls, and graphics software.

(gentle music continues) - When I initially came here, we came back into this empty classroom space and envisioned what the possibilities were and also kind of looked at our community a little bit to determine where there were needs.

So the inspiration behind MODA really stems from that, what we felt like was lacking in our community and where we could really change this space to meet what needs that we saw.

- Today's class is just an intro to augmented reality.

So I'm gonna have students using Adobe Aero, which is Adobe's premier AR product, as well as Adobe Mixamo, where we're gonna teach students how to animate those models and we'll be using Michael Jordan and LeBron James prefab models.

On the top left corner, there's a button that says preview.

Hit preview.

You should be bouncing the ball.

All right, you got that.

Virtual reality users tend to have on a helmet, augmented reality users tend to have a phone or tablet in their hand while having the experience.

If you're creating your own 3D models, having access to really powerful computers matter.

Spaces like the MODA help level the playing field for the community to get started.

- MODA is more than just a space, it's a community.

We forge partnerships with local organizations, educators, and businesses to ensure that our impact extends far beyond our walls.

Through these collaborations, we foster mentorships and educational programs and opportunities that elevate future innovators and industry leaders.

(upbeat music) - I wish I could say I knew about MODA prior to.

We had gone to the Harvey B. Gantt Center before and some time passed during our summer camp programming where the team puts together so many activities that they go.

So we had been to the building.

Our push, again, is for pro-social and interest-based initiatives.

And so we're harping that at every turn we can get.

And so we were fortunate to have a member of the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council local in Mecklenburg County who made mention of this possibility if that's something we were interested in.

And I was like, yes, these are the right-up-our-alley deals.

- It was cool, it was like more into the future.

I ain't never think you could get something off your computer and then they'd just be right in front of you, you know what I'm saying?

Yeah, that's the future, man.

- The interesting part was learning about the people on the computer and they use your phone and they be popping up in real life and stuff like, that was interesting 'cause I ain't never, I just know about that on Snapchat, but I don't be seeing it on Snapchat no more.

But that was just interesting, I ain't know nothing about that.

- We see a world where every kid gets an opportunity to get connected with positive people and places.

That if they have a dream and aspire to do something, that if we can connect them to people and places where those resources exist, they may be more inclined to pursue or continue pursuing their dreams.

So the vision is that part in connecting the dots to those resources.

- When I met the coaches and the teachers here, they made me feel really comfortable and they told me a lot of stories that made me feel like I wasn't alone.

I love this place, it's like a second home.

- Art in any form is valuable, but digital art, in addition to, I think, could be the beginning of an exposure to incredible career paths and all things being technology driven, youth inspired by, in addition to whether it's your Mac or whatever it is, having an ability to get in a space where they can see that creativity come to life.

And then, oh by the way, apply it to some potential for seeing the visualization of this is a real career path.

This is an incredible opportunity and I know it's going to inspire some of these young people to want to get connected and I'm looking forward to figuring out ways how we can continue that collaboration.