In a world where creative industries often fight to be seen and valued, recognition isn’t just about the glamour of a trophy. It’s a declaration that the work matters. Recent honors for JDS Studio, based in Temecula, California, have done more than validate the team’s vision. They’ve helped magnify their impact on both the local and national stage.
This spring, JDS Studio, home to JDS Video & Media Productions, Inc., JDS Actors Studio, and the nonprofit JDS Creative Academy, garnered multiple accolades that have placed the organization in the spotlight. But according to its founders, Diane and Scott Strand, the significance lies not in the awards themselves but in what they stand for.
“Awards amplify the heart, hustle, and vision behind what we do,” says Diane Strand, an award-winning producer, entrepreneur, and arts advocate. “They shine a light on voices and stories that deserve to be heard. Many of which come from underrepresented or underserved communities.”
Among their recent wins are three prestigious honors from the Communicator Awards, an international program presented by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA) that c
elebrates excellence in marketing and communication.
The JDS Creative Academy was awarded the Nonprofit Communicator Award of Excellence for its 10-year milestone campaign, a decade marked by educational initiatives, inclusive programming, and artistic outreach. Two additional Awards of Distinction were given for its Addams Family: School Edition audition promo and the Spirit of Innovation: Arts Across America community roundtable on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“To be recognized across such a wide spectrum, from performing arts to inclusive job training, is a reminder that creativity doesn’t just entertain, it empowers,” Scott Strand notes. “That’s always been our goal.”
Locally, that empowerment has not gone unnoticed. In March 2025, the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce honored JDS Video & Media Productions, Inc. with the 2024 Bronze Business of the Year award. The recognition highlights JDS Studio’s multifaceted impact on the community. Through workforce development, arts education, and multimedia production that serves both public and private sector clients.
The Power of Community-Centered Arts
JDS Studio’s integration of professional media services with nonprofit programming makes it particularly unique. At its core is JDS Creative Academy, a 501(c)(3) that opens doors for youth, adults, and individuals with developmental disabilities through hands-on training, classes, camps, and live productions.
Programs like the Title 17 video production job training initiative offer adults with special needs practical experience in media arts, providing both skill-building and personal growth in a supportive environment. Similarly, signature events like DigiFest® and Spirit of Innovation unite artists, educators, and industry professionals to celebrate creativity with purpose.
This model of accessibility, inclusivity, and innovation earned Diane Strand one more personal accolade: the Arts Advocate Award from David T. Fagan’s Top Talent Agency. The honor reflects decades of her work uplifting creative communities and expanding opportunities within the arts, especially for those who often face systemic barriers to entry.
“Art belongs to everyone,” Strand says. “Our job is to remove the gatekeeping and create platforms where people of all backgrounds can thrive.”
Arts with Impact
Temecula may be better known for its vineyards than its video studios. Still, JDS is helping redefine that narrative, putting the Inland Empire on the map as a hub of grassroots innovation with national reach.
Over the past decade, JDS Studio has produced hundreds of video projects, theatrical performances, and community-driven initiatives. Their content has touched classrooms, city halls, business communities, and social campaigns—sometimes all at once.
“What we’re building here is more than a studio,” Scott Strand reflects. “It’s a place where creativity meets career development, stories are told, and impact is measured not just in views or likes, but in lives changed.”
Looking Forward
The Strands are the first to admit that awards are never the end goal. Still, recognition helps. It opens doors for new partnerships, attracts funding opportunities, and, most importantly, reinforces the belief that small-town talent can and should be heard nationally.
“Being honored is not the finish line. It’s a milestone,” Diane says. “It means we’re on the right path, and it encourages us to keep going, to keep creating, and to keep making a difference.”
As the JDS Studio team continues to expand its programs and reach, one thing remains constant: its commitment to using the arts as a vehicle for education, empowerment, and community transformation.
And for a studio nestled in the heart of Temecula, that kind of recognition doesn’t just resonate. It inspires.
For more about JDS Studio, visit: www.jdsstudio.live
Follow their latest programs and awards at @JDSCreativeAcademy
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