Students in programs ranging from Montana-based Maps, AMPAS and the Jacob Burns Film Center

By Peter Debruge

After moving to Montana, veteran producer Peter Rosten founded the Media Arts in Public Schools (Maps) program, offering a state-approved arts elective in film and video production. Students have a direct hand in creating short films and PSAs, dealing with all aspects of the process from budget to execution.

"Admittedly, not a lot of kids are going to be able to be in the 'business,' but the good news is that so much of what we teach are transferable life skills. In our program, they learn to communicate a succinct message, they learn teamwork, they learn fiduciary practices," Rosten says.

Mike Henderson has a look around the computer lab at Westview School in Hamilton,during a tour through the building Monday with MAPS Media Institute instructional team.

by SEPP JANNOTTA - Ravalli Republic

If you build it, they will come.

This phrase might be the program’s current motto, the program's founder Peter Rosten said during a meeting with his presumptive team Monday.

"We are all proceeding with the expectation that this is going to happen," Rosten said, during a tour of potential classrooms for MAPS at Westview School in Hamilton.