PLEASE NOTE: Enrollment is currently closed. Information about the next session of ZMI will be posted here shortly. Read more about ZMI below, see list of past faculty here, past courses here, and pictures here. See also links to the left and below. Here is a video introduction and overview of ZMI.
About / History
Z Media Institute was founded in 1994 by 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.
The members of the initial South End Press collective had all participated in various 1960s and 1970s movements, but knew little about publishing books or magazines. We felt the Press (and later Z Magazine) should become an alternative, democratic, self-supporting left institution. As activists we would continue to participate in various movements, in addition to our publishing work. We would also publish books and articles dealing with strategy and future vision, not just analysis and critique.
We had lived through a time of incredible social change, from civil rights and black power movements to student and antiwar movements to counter-culture, women’s, and gay and lesbian movements to labor, Native American, and ecology movements. A new politics was developing and we felt left media had to relate this politics to existing movements, to those just becoming radical, and to a larger public. Otherwise, they would be ignored, revised, or misrepresented by mainstream media outlets.
South End Press is now 30-years-old and Z Magazine is 20 years old. Over that time we've learned a great deal, not only about publishing, but also about mainstream media and how it prevents any real structural critique of society. Also, through participation as an “alternative press” in the mainstream publishing industry we have seen censorship (subtle and blatant); we've learned about control of promotion and distribution, from reviews to bookstore sales to shelf placement.
In 1994 we decided to pass along what we knew, partly to encourage others to start radical, self-sustaining institutions that could educate, inspire, and organize; partly to meet people interested in creating and joining a future larger left media network; partly to teach a democratic, participatory, radical politics and a democratic workplace structure and process.
Over 700 students have attended ZMI so far. Many are now working with media/organizing projects, others have started new projects, some have joined our staff, others have become ZMI faculty, still others have written articles and reviews for Z Magazine and ZNet, as well as other progressive publications.
Courses
Political courses (vary year by year but) typically 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 typically 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 typically include: Finances, promotion, fundraising, design, production, promotion, editing, facilitating meetings, and more.
Faculty
Faculty most recently include: 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 include: Michael Albert, Lydia Sargent, Andy Dunn, and Chris Spannos.
Link for Bios and ZSpace pages for past and present faculty and staff...
ZMI Specifics
ZMI is typically held from arrival June 4 through departure June 13.
The fee is $1,200, which includes room, board, materials, etc.
To apply, you fill out the application form (do not send money) and mail it to:
Z Media Institute
18 Millfield Street
Woods Hole, MA 02543Fax or email submissions are also possible:
Fax: 508-457-0626
e-mail: zmag@zmag.org.The application deadline is typically February 16.
ZMI Application
NOTE:Enrollment is currently closed. Information about the next session of ZMI will be posted here shortly.
ZMI Pictures
ZMI was first held in 1994. Click here to see a random sample of photos from previous years' events.
ZMI Grads
We’re currently compiling an email list of our Z Media Institute graduates.
If you attended one of our previous ZMIs and would like some more info about future ZMI related events (such as a possible reunion or future media projects), please email us back at zmag@zmag.org.
Please include the year you attended in the email along with any other info you think we should have.