What is AME?

In 2005, California published the California Career Technical Education (CTE) Model Curriculum Standards, opening new opportunities for students to take standards-based CTE classes in high school in order to prepare them for college and careers. Because of California’s thriving entertainment industry, one of the 15 industry sectors included in the standards was Arts, Media, and Entertainment (AME). In 2020, the sector has grown to serve over 231,000 students and is the largest career technical education sector in the state of California.

What are the AME Pathways?

Careers in the Arts, Media, and Entertainment Industry (AME) Sector, fall into four general pathways:

• Design, Visual, and Media Arts

• Performing Arts

• Production and Managerial Arts

• Game Design and Integration

The AME anchor and pathway standards define the knowledge, skills, and practical experience students should have to pursue their chosen profession through whatever course of post-secondary, graduate training, or apprenticeship it may require.

The Design, Visual, and Media Arts pathway includes those occupations that use visual art, digital media, and Web-based tools and materials as the primary means of communication and expression.

Sample occupations associated with this pathway:

• Digital Animator

• Artistic Director

• Commercial Artist

• Web Designer

• Museum Curator

Students who follow the Game Design and Integration pathway prepare for careers within the game design industry and in related technical fields. Students will develop foundational knowledge in game design, animation, graphics, and computer software and hardware.

Sample occupations associated with this pathway:

• 2-D/3-D Animator

• Computer Game Designer

• Software Developer

The Performing Arts pathway focuses on the direct creation of art and entertainment by the individual artist instead of through a secondary physical medium. Performing artists are themselves the medium of creative expression.

Sample occupations associated with this pathway:

• Music: Musician/Composer/Arranger/Conductor

• Actor (e.g., Stage, Film, TV)

• Singer

• Dancer

• Voiceover Artist/Narrator

Music Resources

The Production and Managerial Arts pathway focuses on both the technical skills and the organizational knowledge necessary to present arts, media, and entertainment to the public.

Sample occupations associated with this pathway:

• Event Planner

• Producers/Directors for Theatre, Television, Concerts, and Motion Picture

• Stage Manager/Production Manager

• Talent Management

• Theatrical, Sound and Broadcast Technician