There is a wonderful program at Appalshop in Whitesburg, KY called the Appalachian Media Institute that I am excited to have the opportunity to work for this summer.  Appalshop was founded in 1969 as a non-profit multi-media arts and cultural organization dedicated to preserving Appalachian culture as well as addressing the issues that the Appalachian region is confronted with.  They have a community radio station that broadcasts throughout the area as well as internationally streaming on the web.  They have also produced numerous films, some of which were played at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City last fall. 

Check out all that Appalshop has to offer here: www.appalshop.org

The Appalachian Media Institute (AMI) is a program that was started at Appalshop in 1988.  AMI is a media-training program for central Appalachian youth.  The idea is beautiful – teach the youth of Appalachia how to use the equipment necessary to tell the stories of their area and community through documentary film.  The Appalachian region has been depicted in the media over the last century in not always the brightest of light.  AMI confronts the participants with these depictions and gives them the opportunity to correct or change the way that their area is seen to outsiders.

Check out all things AMI here: http://appalshop.org/ami/

View past AMI films on their vimeo page here: http://www.vimeo.com/user3183821

I will be taking a hiatus from my position in Online Education to be an instructor at Appalachian Media Institute this summer.  I am excited to work with and learn from the talented people at Appalshop and AMI, as well as teach and learn from the AMI participants.

Onward and Eastward!

Blog written by: Natalie Baxter