Arts & Democracy Project Update

August 2011
Greetings from the Arts & Democracy Project!   

This newsletter highlights ways the medium of radio can amplify arts, preserve local culture and strengthen communities. 

 

In particular, we want to alert you to an upcoming opportunity for community-based arts and organizing groups to apply for a community radio station license. 

Resources: Radio for Art, Culture and Community
Radio Bilingue at Smithsonian Folklife Festival 
Radio Bilingue at Smithsonian Folklife Festival
 
FEATURED PROJECTS 

 

Prometheus Radio Project    

Prometheus builds, supports, and advocates for community radio stations that empower participatory community voices, local artists and movements for social change.   


Radio Bilingue

Radio Bilingue is the Spanish radio service for the Public Broadcasting system, it provides news and information, and cultural content relevant to Latinos.  It is a transnational service that has 100 affiliates in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Mexico. Radio Bilingue has six full-power FM radio stations and is building more along the U.S. Mexican border from California to Texas.   

 

Native Public Media

NPM believes the capacity of Native people to access, operate, produce, participate and control their own media is critical to the future of Native America. The organization supports a network of 45 Native radio stations and conducts advocacy on a range of media policy issues.  

 

KOCZ Radio

Broadcasting in Opelousas, Louisiana, KOCZ is licensed to the Southern Development Foundation, a civil rights group that sees the station as a 24-hour form of community outreach.  They are profiled by the New York Times here

 

WGXC Radio

Broadcasting in Greene and Columbia counties in upstate New York, WGXC is an example of an LPFM station licensed to a local arts group. Read a story about the station's launch here.  

 

I Support Community Radio Campaign  

From the Future of Music Coalition, this project documents the importance of local and noncommercial broadcasting to the creative sector. Musicians of every stripe share stories about how radio has touched their lives and helped them reach audiences.

 

   

HOW TO START YOUR OWN RADIO STATION  

 

 radio summer 

 

Introduction to Low-Power Community Radio

From Prometheus Radio Project, up-to-date information on the upcoming one-time opportunity to apply for low-power FM (LPFM) community radio station licenses. Includes information about FCC licensing, station launch costs, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions.  

 

LPFM Channel Search

Tool to help determine whether a low-power radio frequency is likely to be available in your city or town. This tool is not comprehensive, so it is possible that frequencies will be available even if this search comes up with none. Station availability will be determined by how much public pressure is put on the FCC in the coming months, so do click the Take Action! link at right.

 

Put Your Hands on the Radio

Audio recording of a workshop at the National Conference for Media Reform that teaches the steps for getting a new radio station on the air.  

  

Get on the Air and Stay There

From the National Federation of Community Broadcasters, a 50-page guide to building and maintaining a non-commercial educational community radio station. 

 

LEARN MORE 

 

Live Transmission

Lengthy article in Pitchfok that reviews the battle to pass the Local Community Radio Act, profiles several low-power radio stations, and discusses the future of community radio. 

 

36th Annual Community Radio Conference  

Links to information and resources presented at the National Federation of Community Broadcasters' most recent conference, held June 2011 in San Francisco. 

 

Community Radio E-Mail List

Sign up for this email alert list from Prometheus Radio Project if you are considering starting a new station and want to be kept up to date on developments regarding the application process. 

  

As always, we're proud to highlight the great work in this field to support and cross-pollinate an extraordinary network of artists, cultural workers, policymakers, educators, and activists.  Please be in touch, and let us know what you think!
All our best,

Amalia, Caron, Kathie, Jason, Javiera, Lena, and Yolanda
Arts & Democracy Project 


In This Issue:
Start Your Own Station
Learn More
Conference Call Presentation
Opportunities
Join Our Mailing List

CONFERENCE CALL PRESENTATION  

 

The Arts & Democracy Project recently hosted a conference call on Radio, Culture and Community.  

 podcast image

Listen to an audio recording of the call  

 

slideshow preview  

View the slide presentation from the briefing call .  

 

TAKE ACTION

our cities our airwaves  
Right now the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is writing the rules that determine how many new stations will be available and where. You can influence these decisions by filing comments to the FCC. Tell the FCC you want a station in your community!

OPPORTUNITIES

 
How to Start a Low-Power Radio Station Webinars

Wednesday, August 3 7pm - 8:30pm EST
Call: (512) 400-4809 Attendee PIN: 1223422
Register

Wednesday, August 24
11am - 12:30pm EST
Call: (712) 338-7506 | Attendee PIN: 1223422
Register

 

JOIN OUR NEXT ARTS & DEMOCRACY CONFERENCE CALL!   


Creative Responses to the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

Wednesday, August 10
12noon EST/9am PST
RSVP

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 is a moment for reflection and a catalyst for action. Join our conference call to share creative responses to the anniversary. Join us if you have a project to share, are looking to connect with other projects, or just want to find out what's happening across the country.

To present a project please include a two-line description along with a link to your website or blog. We expect about 2 minutes for each presentation. 

WHO WE ARE

 

The Arts & Democracy Project builds the momentum of a cultural movement that draws on a rich history of arts activism, social justice organizing, and grassroots engagement. Arts & Democracy is a sponsored project of State Voices.

State Voices logo
FOLLOW US

facebook twitter

Thanks to our funders: 

 

Nathan Cummings Foundation and 

Open Society Foundations