Zines for Progress

"I have a voice, and I should make myself heard."
– Student zine-maker

Zines for Progress (Z4P) is a Miami-Dade County public high school outreach program centered on addressing topical issues through zine-making. By creating a safe space for teens to voice their opinion, encouraging them to think proactively about community issues, and opening doors into exploring The Wolfsonian's immense collection of modern-age material, the initiative sparks curiosity and social activism. From concept to production, the students collaborate in groups to shape their message and together leverage research, critical thinking, visual learning, and various indie bookmaking techniques to provoke thought and inspire change. Over the course of an academic year, the high schoolers gain vital experience in communication, negotiation, and empathy while expanding their understanding of contemporary worldviews.

  • 100

    Classrooms

  • 2,541

    Students

  • 1,012

    Zines Made

  • 351

    Zines Digitized

The Student Experience

  • Topics Explored

    Mental health
    Gun control
    Black Lives Matter and racism
    Homelessness
    Human trafficking
    Social media and communication
    Empowerment
    Foster care
    Feminism
    Spirituality
    Gentrification
    Bullying
    Immigration
    LGBTQ+ and gender identity
    Racism and discrimination
    Poverty and wealth disparity
    Police brutality and abuse of power
    Legalization of marijuana
    #MeToo
    Animal cruelty
    Climate change and sea-level rise
    Peer pressure and conformity
    Substance abuse
    Prison reform and privatization
    Romance and relationships

  • Feedback

    “I learned how rewarding and almost stress-relieving it can be to put your beliefs in a physical form.”

    “The most meaningful part was expressing a concept that I was afraid to express to the world.”

    “I stepped out of my comfort zones to talk to people more.”

    “To bring about change, you need to help others realize the problem.”

    “I am now motivated to better my community.”

Participating Schools

  • Participants to Date

    Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High
    COPE Center North
    Cutler Bay Senior High
    Design and Architecture Senior High (DASH)
    Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High
    Hialeah Gardens High
    Hialeah Senior High
    International Studies Preparatory Academy
    iPreparatory Academy
    John A. Ferguson Senior High
    Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy
    Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial High
    MAST@FIU
    Miami Arts Studio 6-12 @ Zelda Glazer
    Miami Beach Senior High
    Miami Central Senior High
    Miami Norland Senior High
    Miami Springs Senior High
    Miami Sunset Senior High
    New World School of the Arts
    North Miami Senior High
    Robert Morgan Educational Center
    School for Advanced Studies
    South Dade Senior High
    South Miami Senior High
    Southwest Miami Senior High
    TERRA Environmental Research Institute
    Young Women's Preparatory Academy

Zines for Progress (Z4P) is a signature program of The Wolfsonian's Discovering Design initiative, which is supported by The Batchelor Foundation, the Tamara L. Harris Foundation, the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Fund, and the Seligman Family Foundation. Z4P meets CPalms State of Florida Educational Standards.