REGISTRATION OPENS MID-SEPTEMBER—CHECK BACK SOON!
Instructors: Suzanne Snider, other instructors TBA
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Dates: Friday, December 11 - Sunday, December 13, 2026
Time: Friday, 6-9:30 PM ET, Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM - 6 PM ET
Tuition: $0-$500, non-inclusive of 3% processing fee (See below for more information)
Project Design is a dynamic phase of documentary and artistic practice, giving project directors a chance to articulate their visions, confront ethical challenges, identify collaboration opportunities, define “success,” and brainstorm potential future uses beyond the archive of "raw" or unedited materials. Working on our Project Designs at the front end can be enlivening and revelatory when developed in good company. “Problems” become our guides and integral parts of our projects’ ultimate resolution.
This workshop is perfect for those OHSS alums reaching a new juncture of work and/or for anyone seeking a road map when approaching large-scale or daunting projects. We will address ethics, work habits, research, outreach, reciprocity and more.
The two-day workshop is divided structurally between mini-presentations, conversation, small group exercises and supportive “lab time” during which participants will work with Project Design prompts and have the chance to workshop their ideas-in-progress for feedback.
Note: While we’ll be relying on best practices from the field of oral history, this workshop can support plans for research/documentary projects in any field or medium. We will briefly cover the basics of oral history theory and methodology as a refresher in order to plan in chorus with these concepts and values during our workshop.
Participants in this workshop will have the option of signing up for a 60-minute project consultation at a 50% discount in the future.
Tuition Fee Structure
Thank you for reviewing our tiered fee structure, which reconciles our wish to make the training increasingly accessible with our need to cover staff labor and the rising costs of our materials. Please read the descriptions below and be in touch with us (info@oralhistorysummerschool.com) if you would like support selecting your tuition tier.
Standard/Institutional: $500 + 3% processing fee = $515 [Unlimited, up to workshop cap]
This tuition tier is for participants who are employed full-time/salaried, who may finance vacations and/or dining out, and/or who receive professional development funds or other additional support from an institution. If the aforementioned criteria does not apply to you but you have the financial means to pay the full rate, we invite you to register accordingly. These spots enable us to continue offering subsidized and free registration for participants historically excluded from the field.
Independent: $400 + 3% processing fee = $412 [Unlimited, up to workshop cap]
This tuition tier is for participants without institutional support, without a salary, and/or for those who work in under-resourced economies (education, social work, etc.). Those with steady income are encouraged to look to the institutional tier. As a note, if you do earn steady income but are experiencing ongoing instability—including but not limited to housing, healthcare, caregiving obligations—we invite you to register at the Independent rate rather than the Standard level.
Alumni: $325 + 3% processing fee = $335 [Unlimited, up to workshop cap]
This tuition tier applies to any participants who have taken 1-12 day workshops with OHSS. At this time, Hop-On attendees are not eligible for this tier. Please reach out to us at info@oralhistorysummerschool.com with any questions.
Fellowship: $0 [2 seats]
These spaces are reserved as part of an equity initiative to support more BIPOC participation and historically marginalized voices at the table and in the field. If you are eligible based on these criteria and cannot attend at the standard tuition rate, please select this option. Fellowships will be awarded early in the application process. If you are not awarded a fellowship for this workshop, please note that we will continue to offer tuition-free fellowship seats for all of our workshops. We encourage you to re-apply in the future.
Note: As a small organization, we maintain a strict cancellation policy. Tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable for withdrawal or cancellation.