You have stories to share. I can help.
Oral History Projects
Eat Street Oral History Project for the Whittier Alliance; photo by Rasun Mehringer
Maybe you’re a museum or historical society professional who wants to enhance your collections with vivid personal accounts of those who lived the history your artifacts and documents reflect. Perhaps you are part of an organization whose history deserves preservation. I can help you at any and all stages of an oral history project, from concept to completion. I can:
define project goals and parameters;
perform deep historical research;
identify and recruit narrators;
develop necessary data, copyright, and other forms;
conduct evocative and ethical interviews;
subcontract interview transcription, then oversee the editing and finalization process;
prepare materials for permanent storage in appropriate repositories.
I am familiar with the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant program and can design and execute a project in full compliance with its terms. I also follow the Oral History Association’s Principles and Best Practices to produce informed, relevant, and enduring oral histories of the highest standard.
Prices start at $1,250 per interview. See below for more information.
Story-Sharing Projects
Gordie Hampson, Profiles in Courage: Rock Steady Boxers Project; photo by Robyn Mathews-Lingen
Maybe you work for a company that has made important contributions to its field or is approaching a milestone anniversary. Perhaps you are part of an arts, social justice, human services, or educational organization that has changed lives and communities for the better. I can conduct interviews and write narrator profiles, thematic analyses, or general summaries to help you share your success stories with your target audience.
Prices start at $1,250 per interview. See below for more information.
Workshops and Consultations
If you’re an educator looking for ways to make learning come alive for your students or a community organization that wants to engage its members in meaningful dialogue, I can train you, your students, staff, or constituents to use the skills of an oral historian to listen carefully, learn deeply, and share respectfully. I offer two-hour, half-day, and full-day hands-on training workshops on the following topics, or on topics to suit your needs:
Oral History as Active Learning in the Classroom
Historical Research 101
Interview Tips, Tricks, and Techniques
What Do These Stories Tell Us? Analyzing Interviews
Deep Listening: Using the Skills of an Oral Historian to Develop Empathic Relationships
I also offer individualized consulting services at any stage of an oral history or story-sharing project. I can also help you prepare an application for a Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage (Legacy) Grant so you can secure funding for your project. Whatever your needs, I’ll give you my dedicated attention.
Workshop prices start at $250 per hour for organizations/corporations and $25 per hour for individuals. Individual consultations start at $100 per hour. See below for more information.
Pricing
Every oral history and story-sharing project has its own unique scope of work, timeline, and desired outcome, which means each project has its own unique price. Contact me using the form below to schedule a FREE consultation to discuss your project. Once I understand your needs, I’ll provide you a customized proposal with more detailed information. In general, however, my starting prices are as follows:
Oral History Projects: $1,250 / interview
This price includes:
· Thorough historical research in published and archival sources;
· Communication and coordination with project partners, including clients, narrators, transcribers, and archivists;
· Informed, evocative, and ethical interviews of up to 2 hours;
· Digital audio recording in accordance with professional and archival standards;
· Word-for-word transcription of interview (sub-contracted);
· Management of audit-editing, narrator review, and transcript finalization process;
· Preparation and delivery of interview recording, transcript, data and copyright forms, to client, narrator, and repository in digital, electronic, and/or print format.
(Professional photography, videography, and post-production services are available for an additional charge.)
Story-Sharing Projects: $1,250 / interview
This price includes:
· Communication and coordination with project partners, including clients, narrators, transcribers, and others;
· Informed, evocative, and ethical interviews of up to 90 minutes;
· Digital audio recording in accordance with professional and archival standards;
· Word-for-word transcription of interview (sub-contracted);
· Management of audit-editing, narrator review, and transcript finalization process;
· Preparation and delivery of interview recording, transcript, data and copyright forms, to client, narrator, and other project partners in digital, electronic, and/or print format;
· Written summary profiles of each interview, suitable for sharing, in a style and for a purpose as agreed upon with client.
(Professional photography, videography, design, and other services available for an additional charge.)
Workshops: $300 / hr Consultations: $100 / hr
These prices include:
· Hands-on, interactive instructional workshops tailor-made for your audience;
· Engaging, responsive delivery of information in virtual or in-person settings;
· Materials for workshop participants (e.g. readings, handouts, etc.);
· Attentive listening to your concerns and questions in individual consultations;
· Written summary of our consultation and my recommendations.
Contact me today to arrange a FREE consultation to discuss your project!
If you have an oral history or story-sharing project you want to discuss or are interested in scheduling a workshop, consultation, or book talk, please complete this form and I’ll be in touch! Once I understand your needs and how I might be able to help, I’ll send you a customized proposal.