From Hollywood to Temecula: How Diane Strand is Transforming Arts Education & Entrepreneurship
When you think about the power of the arts, do you picture Hollywood sets, blockbuster movies, or chart-topping music? For Diane Strand, the arts go far beyond entertainment. They are tools for education, empowerment, and entrepreneurship—and she has built an entire movement around that mission.
As the founder of JDS Creative Academy and co-owner of JDS Video & Media Productions, Inc., Diane has dedicated her life to making the arts accessible to everyone—no matter their age, ability, or background. From launching DigiFest® Temecula, a groundbreaking digital arts festival, to creating a job training program for adults with developmental disabilities, Diane continues to prove that creativity isn’t just fun—it’s essential.
The Entrepreneurial Spark
Diane’s entrepreneurial journey started long before she built a thriving media empire. She was that kid with the lemonade stand and the big dream to get herself and her actor friends discovered. That drive led her to start her very first theater company in Hollywood, where she put on plays and invited schoolchildren as the audience.
From there, Diane’s creativity only expanded. Together with her husband, she left behind a successful Hollywood career to start JDS Video & Media Productions, Inc., a corporate video production and marketing company. Over the years, their work with corporations, schools, and cities opened new doors—leading to the creation of JDS Actors Studio and eventually the nonprofit JDS Creative Academy (JDSCA) in 2014.
The Birth of DigiFest®
When a local film festival shut down in 2017, Diane didn’t see an ending—she saw an opportunity. She envisioned something bigger, something more inclusive than a traditional film festival.
Enter DigiFest® Temecula.
DigiFest® celebrates the entire digital arts ecosystem—from filmmakers and producers to graphic designers, musicians, animators, marketers, and storytellers worldwide. Now heading into its 10th year, DigiFest® has become a hub for creatives to showcase their work, learn from industry professionals, and connect with like-minded innovators.
📅 Mark your calendars: DigiFest® 2026 happens April 24–26, 2026 in Temecula, CA. Submissions open October 1, 2025 at digifesttemecula.org.
JDS Creative Academy: Arts With Purpose
At the heart of Diane’s mission is JDS Creative Academy’s Title 17 Video Production Job Training Program. This innovative program provides technical and soft skills training for adults with developmental disabilities, empowering participants to build careers they’re passionate about.
But Diane didn’t stop there. Her journaling and vision planning inspired a national movement: Arts Across America.
This initiative takes the power of the arts across communities nationwide, showing how tools like storytelling, improvisation, teamwork, and creativity can transform not just personal lives—but also professional growth and business development.
Why the Arts Matter
Diane knows firsthand that the arts are too often dismissed as “extras.” In schools, they’re the first programs to be cut when budgets shrink. But in reality, the arts build confidence, problem-solving skills, collaboration, communication, and innovation—all critical skills for today’s workforce.
“The arts aren’t just about making art,” Diane says. “They’re about building futures—futures filled with confidence, creativity, and resilience.”
Through JDS Creative Academy, DigiFest®, and Arts Across America, Diane is rewriting the narrative: the arts aren’t a backup plan—they’re the foundation for success in life and business.
Join the Movement
✨ Want to experience the power of the arts for yourself?
Explore programs and opportunities at JDS Creative Academy.
Submit your work to DigiFest® 2026 at digifesttemecula.org.
Follow the journey of Arts Across America and see how creativity transforms communities nationwide.
The arts aren’t just entertainment—they’re education, empowerment, and entrepreneurship. Thanks to leaders like Diane Strand, the future of creativity is brighter than ever.
