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

Recently faculty have 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, and others.

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 2011 is being held from arrival June 5 through departure June 13. (2011 application now available.)

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 02543

Fax or email submissions are also possible:

Fax: 508-457-0626
e-mail: [email protected].

The application deadline is February 25.

ZMI Application

NOTE: ZMI 2011 IS BEING HELD from June 5 to June 13. To apply fill out the application form and mail to ZMI, 18 Millfield Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543; fax 508-457-0626; or email to [email protected]. The fee is $1,200, which includes room, board, course materials, etc. Payment not required with application. SPACE IS LIMITED so be sure to send your application by February 25.

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 [email protected].

Please include the year you attended in the email along with any other info you think we should have.