The Missouri Photo Workshop archive comprises one of the greatest collections
of photographs of rural America and resides at the Missouri School of Journalism.
Thousands of images spanning over seven decades show the changing scene in the
heartland. From the Ozark Plateau, the riverbanks of the Missouri and Mississippi,
the famous Bootheel in the southeast and the drier plains of the north,
Missouri itself represents the varied geographical aspects of the Heartland.
Rural Missouri is full of residents with a tough resolve, community pride,
pure stubbornness, and love for small towns. Some remain despite hard times
because they want to; others have no other choice. They all have unique stories
that add to the fabric of their community and the depth of the MPW archive.
In the beginning of the 20th century, most rural Missouri towns were at
their strongest. The small economic centers supported local farms and businesses.
The towns grew. But the overarching trend since then has been a slow population loss.
This is their story, told for more than 70 years, through the framework of
more than 50 different towns. Each year, forty photographers come to a town
in Missouri to tell a community’s story.
You may feel called to participate in this immersive visual storytelling workshop.
The online application portal opens in the Spring. Selections are made in the Summer.
The workshop is the last full week in September.
If you are an MPW alumni, or simply value the Missouri Photo Workshop for its
adherence to in depth and ethical storytelling, we are always appreciative of
your support. The MPW Endowment
is a great way to help.
For more information, please contact
workshop co-directors Brian Kratzer and Alyssa Schukar.
In late September 2022, 40 photographers arrived in Excelsior Springs to soak in
the intimate and intense Missouri Photo Workshop experience. They came from 18
states and five countries to immerse themselves in picture stories.
What resulted from this town of 11,700 residents is a document of life in 2022.
Family was a consistent theme: families at work, young new families, and families
experiencing the challenges of time.
View picture stories from MPW.74.
Recent Posts
Meet Me in Excelsior Springs
A glimpse into the process of the 74th Missouri Photo Workshop. Narrated by David Rees and Alyssa Schukar.
Well Wishes
Five photographers visit a magical wishing well and cast their aspirations for the week.
Ghostly Visions
nspired by the ghosts and spirits that play a role in the Excelsior Springs experience, photographers reveal their own horror stories.
The Missouri Photo Workshop has been documenting small town America for over seven decades. Learn about the history of the workshop and the philosophy of its founder Cliff Edom, the father of photojournalism.
See where in Missouri the workshop has traveled to before and explore images and stories from the past 74 years of documenting community.
Explore over 70 multimedia works produced at the Missouri Photo Workshop, examining the art of storytelling, Missouri life, and the workshop itself.
Stay tuned for information about applying to participate in the 75th Missouri Photo Workshop, which will take place in person in September 2023.
