Do.Tell.
The Center for Documentary Studies (CDS) is a place to make and share documentary work—in photography, film/video, writing, audio, and experimental and new media. We provide cutting-edge learning experiences, and we support documentary artists in their creative projects. Why? We believe that the documentary arts can change the world. In-depth real-life stories show us new ways of seeing … bridge differences and foster empathy … reveal truths that transform perspectives, and lives. To realize a vision of a more just society, the documentary field must include and speak to the broadest range of people possible, especially those whose stories have been silenced or ignored. CDS is committed to ensuring that documentary artists, gatekeepers, and audiences truly reflect all of us.
Teaching and Supporting Documentary Artists Since 1989
Educate. CDS is an Educational
Center that strives to bring
the documentary artist out in everyone, regardless of age or experience level. We teach people the skills and ethics necessary to create and honor nonfiction stories of all kinds.
For example: Via our Literacy Through Photography program in the public schools, a fourthgrader explores her world by taking pictures. A high schooler in the School of Doc camp catches the filmmaking bug. A Duke student in an undergraduate Documentary Studies course explores culture and identity through food writing. A seasoned podcaster collaborates with classmates and Durham residents to produce a story for a continuing education audio class. An MFA in Experimental and Documentary Arts student creates an installation incorporating found text, old movies, and a soundscape.
“CDS has become a home— in the sense that my ideas felt safe and nurtured, I felt respected and encouraged. It became a place that inspired me and constantly challenged me to expand my views of how I experienced the world.”
Activate. CDS is a Creative
Catalyst that supports documentary
storytellers in any medium—from award-winning professionals to emerging artists—through sustained mentoring and networking, experimentation, the showcasing and promotion of work, funding, and more.
“CDS broadened my concepts of documentary practice, introducing me to work and processes that otherwise would have been unknown to me. Being able to communicate directly with artists and documentarians was hugely beneficial.”
For example: A Documentary Fellow paired with a nonprofit works on projects with youth in foster care. A first-time filmmaker receives a grant to travel to and screen her work at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. A veteran documentary photographer exhibits his work in our galleries, then works with CDS’s publishing arm on a new book. Millions of people listen to deep dives on timely topics on our podcast, Scene on Radio. By winning the Lange-Taylor Prize, a graphic artist and a writer can continue their long-term collaborative fieldwork. In our DocX creative space, a journalist workshops a project.
CDS by the Numbers
Undergraduate Education: 30 courses a year; 500 students enrolled
| Continuing Education: 100 onsite and online courses a year; 600 students enrolled | MFA in Experimental and Documentary Arts: Duke’s 1st MFA program, cofounded by CDS | Full Frame Documentary Film Festival: 80 films screened to 10,000+ attendees ($3.7M local
impact) plus year-round programming | Documentary Diversity Project: 8 Emerging Documentary Artists and 3 Post-MFA Fellows in the Documentary Arts to date | Exhibitions: 4 galleries, thousands of visitors annually; 160 exhibits shown to date | Audio: 4.5 million downloads for Peabody Award–nominated Scene on Radio podcast | Awards: 360 artists supported | Books: 235 artists published | Youth Programs: 1,000 K–12 students a year
The Center for Documentary Studies (CDS) is a nonprofit education and arts organization affiliated with Duke University, the first institution in the U.S. dedicated solely to documentary across all mediums. CDS values and promotes work that cultivates progressive change by amplifying voices, advancing human dignity, engendering respect among individuals, breaking down barriers to understanding, and illuminating social injustices.
General questions: docstudies@duke.edu Make a gift: Mike Gulley, (919) 660-3669 or Michael.Gulley@duke.edu Most programs at CDS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, receive no financial support from Duke University.
documentarystudies.duke.edu CDS appreciates the photographers whose work appears in the brochure; find captions/credits on our website.