Selected Wheaton students may participate in a semester of interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in documentary photography, non-fiction writing and editing, and field research at the Salt Center, based in Portland, Maine. Selected student projects are published in the center’s magazine, become part of the permanent archives, and are displayed in the Salt Gallery for a wider public audience. Enrollment is limited to approximately 25 students, who receive close guidance and individual supervision as they develop their projects. Students learn the steps of field data collection and the development of professional skills needed to shape their independent research for publication. Grades and credits become part of a Wheaton student’s academic record. Students pay standard Wheaton tuition for this Wheaton-affiliated program. Students will pay housing expenses directly to the Salt Institute.

The Salt Graduate Certificate in Documentary Studies is a unique 15-week program focused on training the next generation of storytellers with professional students from all over the world. Salt offers two study tracks: Radio & Podcasting (Fall term or Spring term) or Short Film (Fall term only). During this rigorous learning experience, students take the time to create and critically examine their own work and the work of classmates in a collaborative environment.

During the 15-week program, graduates have an opportunity to demonstrate their new skills for the public. Structured like a Moth performance, where storytellers have five minutes to capture their audience, cohorts work with professional directors to develop and shape stories for live events at venues like the Portland Museum of Art.

To learn more about Salt, visit Salt.edu.
To see the collective body of work—stories and publications—produced at Salt, visit SaltStoryArchive.com.
For more information about the program and the application process, contact Graduate Admissions at Maine College of Art & Design at GraduateAdmissions@meca.edu.