June 16, 2025

Media Arts Santa Ana

Victor Payan, Founding Director of Media Arts Santa Ana (MASA), not only understands the importance of arts and technology—he knows how to bridge the digital and technological divide to empower the next generation of digital visionaries. Under his leadership, and through collaboration with community and funding partners, MASA offers free, accessible media classes, workshops, film screenings, workforce development programs, networking opportunities, cultural agility training, and access to technology. These efforts help thousands of people gain the skills and connections they need for 21st-century careers.

As a multidisciplinary artist and community leader, Payan understands how vital it is for artists and young people to have access to spaces equipped with the tools, mentors, and infrastructure they need to learn, grow, and explore their cultural identity through self-expression. MASA provides not only a welcoming space and year-round programming where people can develop new skills, make new friends, and find their voice, but also opportunities to learn how to serve their communities and earn a living. MASA’s programs also benefit adults and seniors looking to network and develop their creative technology skills.

“One thing we hope people understand is that technology is a powerful tool towards self-expression, creativity and civic participation; it helps fight isolation by sharing ideas, provides the channels to highlight cultural identities, and builds movements to defend communities,” said Payan. “We not only create magic through art and technology, we transform lives by offering free programming and workshops. Our doors are open to everyone, especially those most vulnerable.”

Payan and MASA also advocated for Santa Ana’s artist affordable housing policy, and the Santa Ana Arts Collective (SAAC) building, where they are located, is a result of their efforts. Payan sees access to affordable housing and creative technology as critical and connected life-changing factors.

“One participant of our grant writing class, who is a SAAC resident, told us that a few years ago she was homeless, and if someone would have told her that one day she’d be receiving a $10,000 artist grant and living in affordable housing, she would have thought they were crazy.”

The need for equal access to education and learning in Santa Ana and surrounding communities is significant. Currently, in Santa Ana, 82% of people above the age of 25 do not have a bachelor’s degree or higher, making it difficult for them to gain admission to a college or arts administration program. This led Payan to create the Curator Incubator Project, a program that connects disenfranchised artists with a curriculum taught by celebrated community-based curators.

MASA is empowering Santa Ana’s Latino and working‑class population by providing accessible media arts education where youth and adults can participate in bilingual workshops covering filmmaking, digital storytelling, video game development, augmented reality, podcasting, green-screen production, making music with GarageBand, and more. Last year, Payan and MASA created VOTOS LOCOS, a free online video game designed to promote voting among disenfranchised communities, with the help of local independent video game developers.

Founded in 2018 under the fiscal sponsorship of Community Partners, MASA fosters creativity through a range of free or low-cost offerings, including media workshops, cinema screenings, community mural projects, social media training, and tech access.

MASA’s exhibits and programming continue to foster civic participation and self-expression through media, bolstering cultural pride and empowerment within the community. Now in its 16th year, the OC Film Fiesta has evolved into the premier cinematic celebration of Orange County’s diversity and multicultural heritage. This annual multicultural film festival showcases Orange County’s rich diversity through international cinema, community dialogue, and hands-on experiences. Other core initiatives include MILPA (Millennial Producers Academy), which provides training in media production and the SMART Walk (South Main Art, Retail & Technology) Resource Fair, which highlights local arts and technology programs, and professional opportunities for youth and adults. MASA is an important multidisciplinary presenter of emerging and established Latinx, BIPOC, MENASA, API, women, youth, immigrants, veterans and LGBTQ+ artists.

MASA’s space and gallery deliver year-round programming, presenting local and nationally recognized artists, such as Guillermo Gómez-Peña, Pepe Serna and Herbert Sigüenza. Their upcoming Exhibit, July 31 – August 2, features Chicano artist Jacinto Guevara, whose work is in the Cheech Marin collection. Other upcoming events include the SMART Walk in September and the OC Film Fiesta in October. MASA also hosts a monthly video game developer meetup and singer-songwriter circle, as well as a weekly Cafe MASA networking night.

With possible budget cuts looming over the next year, Payan is determined to continue MASA’s critical work, leveraging partnerships and relationships to amplify media arts within the community—particularly serving Latino, immigrant, and working-class residents. He also hopes to continue expanding their footprint to other underresourced areas, as their work already draws participants from Los Angeles and Riverside.

“Our innovative and leading digital and technology programming has proven to build pathways towards workforce development and careers. 40% of the people who received Santa Ana artist grants in 2023 went through our program. We’ve developed a unique model that you won’t find anywhere else. We’re excited to share our knowledge, and look forward to future resources and collaborations that will allow us to reach and serve more communities across Southern California. We hope you will join us as we inspire the next generation of digital visionaries.”

Victor Payan, Founding Director, Media Arts Santa Ana (MASA)

Learn more and join MASA’s mailing list or email victor@masamedia.org.


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