About ZMI

NOTE: Due to scheduling and financial considerations, it has not yet been decided if there will be a ZMI in June 2008, or if the next ZMI will instead be held in June 2009.

Please check back on this page for more info in December 2007 or January 2008. We will post an announcement here as soon as we know.

Thank you for your understanding.
 

Z Media Institute was started in 1994 by the cofounders of Z Magazine (1988) and South End Press (1977) to teach radical politics, media and organizing skills, the principles and practice of creating non-hierarchical institutions and projects, activism, and vision and strategy for social change. Classes are held around Eel Pond in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

COURSES

• Political courses include:  principles of workplace democracy, foreign policy, ecology, political science, queer theory, women and revolution, labor, race, youth liberation, economic and social vision and strategy, and more.
  
  
• Media courses include: Analysis of mainstream media; starting a media project (newspaper, radio, video, magazine, Internet, organizing); challenges of alternative media; pressuring mainstream media; research and investigation techniques; more.
  
  
• Skills courses include: Finances, promotion, fundraising, design, production, promotion, editing, facilitating meetings, and more.
  

Faculty for the 2007 ZMI included: Michael Albert, Jessica Azulay, Chip Berlet, Michael Bronski, Noam Chomsky, Rosa Clemente, Ron Daniels, Brian Dominick, Sean Gonzalves, Ria Julien, Mandisi Majavu, Cynthia Peters, Justin Podur, Lydia Sargent, Stephen R. Shalom, Brian Tokar, Marie Trigona, Tom Wetzel, and more. Staff includes Michael Albert, Lydia Sargent, Andy Dunn, and Chris Spannos.

ZMI SPECIFICS

ZMI has in the past has been held in early June in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and lasts for eight days. Room, board, materials, etc., are included in the tuition cost, but students are responsible for their own travel. Buses run to Woods Hole from the airports in Boston, Providence, RI, and from other major cities.

ZMI SCHOLARSHIP FUND

ZMI has been a life-changing experience for many newly-political people and even for experienceD activists, many of whom feel isolated in their schools, communities, and workplaces. We are proud to say that many ZMI students have gone on to start new media and organizing projects.

Each year we give out as many scholarships as we can afford, usually totaling a $10,000 to $20,000 and putting a strain our yearly budget.

If you would like to help send a student to Z Media Institute, please consider donating to our ZMI Scholarship Fund directly or adding an extra amount to your Z Sustainer donation, earmarked for ZMI Scholarships. Your contribution will be invaluable (and is tax deductible).