Through the Visionary Lens | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Through the Visionary Lens

kids taking photos of a mural

Every story of transformation deserves a witness. At MCAD, our Creative Leadership Capstone course invites students to share the heartbeat of their work in community through the Visionary Lens Video—a short film that reflects not only what was done, but how it changed the lives of those involved. These are not just summaries of projects; they are living testimonies of courage, creativity, and commitment.

Guiding this process from our recent graduates was Anthony Morgan, Regional Emmy-award winning filmmaker and internationally recognized leadership coach. Anthony embodies the rare fusion of artistry and wisdom: with one eye attuned to the power of visual storytelling and the other to the growth of leaders, he helps our students see the truth of their journey and share it with clarity, dignity, and hope.

The capstone project is not about checking a box; it is about cultivating deep awareness of how our leadership ripples outward. Whether a student’s work sparks a new program, shifts a mindset, or simply invites a smile where there was once indifference, the Visionary Lens Video captures the essence of change. Transformation takes many shapes:

  • Visible: a new community garden, a policy adopted, a program launched.
  • Subtle: a new willingness to listen, a reframing of conflict, a spark of belonging.

Both matter. Both are honored.

Each video is also a mirror. Students are asked: What did this project ask of me as a leader? How did it shape me?

Throughout this process some students discover the art of adaptability when plans unravel. Others encounter the hard but necessary lessons of conflict resolution, or the tender joy of collective decision-making. Still others find their voice in relational leadership—learning that true power comes not from control, but from cultivating trust.

The Visionary Lens Video crystallizes what has been learned, and what might yet become. Students leave the process with more than a film—they carry forward clarity of purpose, humility in leadership, and a sense of belonging to something larger than themselves. They show us that change begins with presence, courage, and imagination.

At MCAD, leadership is not about spotlighting the self but about holding a light steady enough that others may see their way forward. The Visionary Lens Videos are both beacon and bridge: illuminating transformation and inviting us all to walk toward a more just, creative, and compassionate future. Curious to learn more or to see some of these Visionary Lens Videos? Sign up for a free monthly workshop through MCAD Events.

*image from RK (2025)

Categories
Creative Leadership
Published on
September 25, 2025

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The Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) acknowledges it is located on traditional, ancestral, and contemporary lands of Indigenous people. This is the ancestral homeland of the Dakota and Ojibwe people, who were forcibly exiled from the land because of aggressive and persistent settler colonialism. We recognize that this place has a complex and layered history. As a community dedicated to creativity, MCAD is committed to ongoing efforts to support and advocate for American Indian Nations and peoples.


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