Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Beckman.
Hi Sarah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
For someone who identifies as a dreamer, it’s surprising I never imagined myself living in California. As a pre-teen visiting Palo Alto from the snowy wonderland of Minnesota, I was in awe of avocados and in love with the ocean. I grew up in the suburbs of Lake Minnetonka, and later went to college in Madison, Wisconsin. It was there I served as a House Fellow (an RA) and earned degrees in Journalism and Gender and Women’s Studies. It was a dynamic time to come of age, in the early 90s—there were no cell phones, email was new—the cold war had ended, we were coming out of the AIDS crisis and into Spike Lee and riot grrrl culture. We were skeptical of authority, we were socially and civically engaged in everything. There was a lot to make zines about. Through college I had internships and secured a job in advertising after graduation. On paper it was everything I worked for; in practice I was bored. I promptly left the industry for restaurant work.
Starting up and eventually running multiple cafés taught me more than any position I’ve held since. I eventually left Madison in 2000, when I became engaged and moved to San Diego for my fiancé’s new job, and to be closer to my family who had all migrated west. Once we arrived, I was hired at The San Diego Museum of Art through a Madison connection. What started as a temp position turned into a ten-year residency. After-hours access to art and artists is magical and the lifestyle can be addictive, rewarding, and at times, a bit dramatic. I learned about fundraising, the art and culture scene, and nonprofits. I managed events like <i>Art Alive</i> and created <i>Culture & Cocktails</i>.
After SDMA, a friend brought me to The New Children’s Museum, then I spent time at UCSD, and later a boutique creative agency before I found myself at the Balboa Park Conservancy. I spent six years helping build its brand and base of support for the Botanical Building revitalization. After merging with another park organization to become Forever Balboa Park and with construction underway on the Botanical Building, I was ready for a new challenge.
In early 2023, I was given the opportunity to lead Outside the Lens, a youth media arts nonprofit established in 2001. I was immediately drawn to OTL. As the daughter of an artist, I grew up surrounded by galleries, exhibitions, and people working in creative fields. That kind of access isn’t common for most kids—especially the youth OTL serves—yet it shaped my path from an early age. I’m driven to share that privilege and open similar doors for the next generation. Outside The Lens helps young people build confidence, media literacy skills and exposure to creative pathways — powerful tools for individual and collective change. It was the perfect fit.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has not always been paved, or well-signed. I’ve stepped up to cover for departing leadership several times in my career—each time feeling like I was navigating loose gravel and rocky terrain. These transitions taught me that building confidence in a team while everything feels temporary is one of leadership’s greatest challenges. You’re often juggling your original role plus someone else’s responsibilities, all while trying to maintain stability for everyone around you. I learned that moments can also be fantastic for creative risk taking—I mean, really leaning into it. For example, if you know what’s broken you have a unique and perhaps temporary authority to fix it and make a lasting impact.
While these experiences built my confidence as a leader, they also revealed how easily I could lose myself in the work. There are no big billboards along the way saying, ‘Keep Your Boundaries!’ or ‘You’re Not Responsible for Everything.’ It’s something I’m constantly working on—<i>What can I reasonably take on? What gets delegated? Am I being my best self?</i> I’ve learned that sustainable intensity only works when everyone is growing and getting some return on their investment—otherwise, what are we doing here?
We’ve been impressed with Outside The Lens, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets Outside the Lens apart is our belief that every young person has a story worth telling—and the power to create positive change through creative expression. Outside the Lens ignites confidence in young people to pursue creative pathways and drive social change through the transformative power of media arts. Founded in 2001, we began with a simple but powerful idea: giving disposable cameras to refugee and immigrant youth to tell their stories. Today, we’ve evolved into a comprehensive media arts education organization that is community-driven, engaging systemically marginalized young people ages 8-25 throughout San Diego County and Tijuana.
In an era where 91% of the U.S. population has smartphones and AI is reshaping media creation, we’re cultivating both media and “AI literacy”—empowering students to become critical consumers and conscious creators. We’re preparing the next generation to be ethical creators and critical thinkers in our increasingly digital world.
Our impact works on three transformative levels: First, we help young people develop confidence through creative expression. Next, they build essential skills and gain exposure to creative careers—often through paid apprenticeships or internships. Finally, we use exhibitions and other platforms to amplify their voices to create positive change in their communities.
What makes us truly unique in the Creative Youth Development field is our commitment to full-time, benefits-eligible teaching artists. While most organizations in our industry rely on contracted educators hired per gig or per grant, we invest in a consistent team of professional artists who bring both industry expertise and lived experience that reflects the communities we serve. This sustainable approach allows us to deliver consistent programming that builds deep relationships and lasting impact.
What most folks don’t realize is that we are in schools all throughout San Diego County, teaching core curriculum using media arts (that’s “arts integration”) in grades K-12. We have a special expertise working in Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS), and maintain ongoing training for all of our staff, to ensure we are leading with a restorative justice, trauma-informed approach. That’s in addition to our Out-of-School (OOS) programming, which may take place at OTL, or in collaboration with a community partner.
We’re particularly proud of our groundbreaking Media Makers program—a comprehensive two-year media arts program specifically designed for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Operating four days a week from our Wonder Lab, this program provides exposure to creative careers, internships, and entrepreneurship while building essential life and leadership skills. It represents our commitment to ensuring creative opportunities are truly accessible to all young people.
Our Wonder Lab itself—housed in East Village’s historic Wonder Bread building—serves as a 7,200 square foot creative hub and is becoming a “third place” for teens and young adults between school and home. It features movable furniture for multi-use learning, exhibitions, and events alongside a fully equipped media lab and creative studio.
Since 2001, we’ve served over 27,000 youth, with 97% coming from under-resourced communities. But the numbers tell only part of our story—it’s the moment when a student walks into an exhibition featuring their work and feels truly seen, that captures the heart of what we do.
How do you define success?
Success for me is living a full life. Family, friends, job, health, self—I want it all! I think I have it all. Success is so arbitrary and has become such a material measure. It’s more like, did I enjoy making my coffee today? Did I spend time looking at the clouds? Did I notice the moon? Did I give a stranger a compliment? Am I making time to move my body? What gave me delight today? Often, when someone sends a gift to Outside The Lens I’ll ring an old cow bell, like really loud. Success is having the capacity to delight in small wonders.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.outsidethelens.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outsidethelens/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OutsideTheLens
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/outside-the-lens/
- Other: https://www.sarahebeckman.com/
Image Credits
Jana McBeath Juan Abarca Fedella Lizeth Jose Islas Sarah Beckman
