I’m so thrilled to tell you about a rare opportunity with one of my very favorite organizations in all of New York City.

Have you been interested in developing multimedia skills? Have you been looking to document and share stories about the people, events or organizations you work with (or just love)? If so, you should check out City Lore’s Documentary Institute. It’s three weeks long, so it’s immersive, but it doesn’t require you quit your job or totally change your life. In fact, you may be the director of a non-profit and looking to up your organization’s game. Or maybe you just finished undergrad, want to skip grad school and instead get your hands dirty. Either way, listen up! They have three spots left (just 3!) for their program this summer.

The program runs July 20 – August 7. The deadline is June 15th. (Psst! that’s soon)

I interned with the cultural organization City Lore when I first moved to New York. I was pretty lost at the time, and they reminded me of my true passion: documenting people’s stories. For decades, City Lore’s been documenting and advocating for cherished local establishments, public spaces and community landmarks. They’ve been putting on exhibits and buying fuel for their awesome POEMobile. After just my first day in their office, I knew City Lore would always be a part of my documentary life and my relationship with New York.

Many of you know that I studied radio at the Salt Institute, so why would I encourage you to attend City Lore’s Documentary Institute?

Here’s the thing, no other Institute includes fundraising, grant writing and pitching your story with hand-on training.

No other Institute combines oral history, folklore and activist approaches for hands-on media training.

No other institute immerses you in the culture of New York City allowing you to work with folklorists and media makers who can work with you on the contacts (did I mention contacts?) you need to produce the culturally-based doc you always wanted to make.

Guest speakers include Academy Award nominee Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild). Workshops are taught by Sundance winner, Ram Devineni, acclaimed filmmaker Pam Sporn, and world renowned photographer, Michael Kamber.

Even better, the tuition is a fraction of what I paid, and you get to hang out in New York!

[Tuition is $2,300 for the three week institute which includes software, celebratory dinners, and a concluding screening of your work.]

For more information call or email Elena Martinez (emartinez@citylore.org or 212-529-1955, x16). She’s really cool. You’re going to love her.

Or visit the Institute’s site for all the details. And tell them I sent you!

-Jamie