What is AMI?

Through AMI young people in central Appalachia learn how to use video cameras and audio equipment to document the unique traditions and complex issues of their mountain communities.

AMI is a program of Appalshop, a community-based arts and education center in the coalfields of Kentucky. Based in the community media model and the artistic resources of Appalshop, AMI offers an intensive summer institute and year-round media production training with youth, teachers and community groups in central Appalachia.

AMI's goals are to develop the critical and creative skills of young people in central Appalachia and to involve them in their communities and the world by making and sharing media.

Our participants share their work through local screenings with community members of all ages and through exchanges with young media makers from across the country.

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Contact

Support AMI with a tax-deductible contribution so we can continue to support young people making change in the mountains. Checks can be sent to:

Appalachian Media Institute
91 Madison Ave
Whitesburg, KY 41858

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For more information contact
AMI director Rebecca O'Doherty.
(606) 633-0108 (Ph)
(606) 633-1009 (Fax)
rebecca@appalshop.org

Get Involved

Every summer, young people from central Appalachia spend ten intensive weeks working with AMI staff and Appalshop artists. AMI interns experience the practice of making and distributing documentary media - video, audio and photo - while gaining technical and leadership skills and deepening their knowledge of the places where they live.

AMI interns receive hands-on production training, and quickly put new skills to work designing and producing short video projects. They study media literacy and the process of exploring a place through artistic investigation. The students then craft longer documentary videos that explore aspects of life unique to Appalachia. AMI documentaries are screened throughout our home community and at film festivals nationwide.

LEARN MORE

AMI Updates

  • AMI producer takes on pundits

    May 21, 2008, 12:55:37 PM by Rebecca

    LISTEN to Ada Smith's commentary on NPR that challenges listeners and pundits to have a real dialogue about racism in America, without the hillbilly stereotypes

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    AMI producer on NPR's Morning Edition

    October 10, 2007, 10:02:12 PM by Rebecca

    LISTEN to Natasha Watt's commentary on the prescription drug abuse addiction epidemic and VIEW more youth produced media about the issue.

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    183 views


    AMI interns host presidential candidate Edwards at youth forum

    July 12, 2007, 12:59:38 PM by AMI


    On Wednesday, July 18th AMI interns will host presidential candidate John Edwards at a youth forum on rural policy and economic opportunity in the coalfields. Growing up in the coalfields of eastern Kentucky, young people have significant challenges in front of them.

    Youth will share their concerns and thoughts about how, despite the decades-old problems created by poverty, the coalfields can continue to be the place they call home. This means tackling the social and economic problems caused by poverty, including: the prescription drug addiction epidemic, high rates of unemployment, minimum-wage economies, few opportunities for youth development, and struggling schools.

    To read the press release click here.

    You can tune into the forum at 11 a.m. on July 18th at WMMT 88.7 or listen live at the time of broadcast from WMMT's webstream www.appalshop.org/wmmt.

    For more information contact Rebecca O'Doherty at Appalshop, 606.633.0108

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    234 views



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