Patron: The Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC
A lot is happening at ArtSound:
- Best wishes, Annabel Wheeler
- ArtSound Board vacancies
- A reminder to all ArtSound members
- Two ArtSound contributions to Upstageing Canberra
- A meeting of technologists
- Launch of Digital Upgrade
- Volunteer Expo
- Generous Donors party
- Concert Action Team
- Call for radio-drama scripts
- ArtSound’s podcasting meetup
- Presenting opportunities
- ArtSound production unit
- Canberra Southern Cross Club sponsorship
- Donations
- How you can help
Best wishes, Annabel Wheeler
ArtSound’s volunteers send best wishes to longtime colleague Annabel Wheeler who has had to step down from presenting classical music programs due to ill health. Annabel has long been the host of Concert Hall, which presents recordings of Canberra-area classical music concerts, and one of the hosts of the Sunday edition of Classical Mood. Annabel’s history with ArtSound goes way back to its days based in Curtin as Canberra Stereo Public Radio.
ArtSound Board vacancies
Are you able to support ArtSound by becoming a Board member? The Board provides executive oversight of ArtSound’s operations and is an essential part of our ongoing success. We currently need up to three new members to act as Board Directors until the 2026 AGM in May, and potentially into the new Board term. If you are able to provide this support and would like more information, please contact Bart Meehan, president@artsound.fm
Come May, and the AGM, incumbents and others are encouraged to run as candidates for 2026-27 Board positions. If you have experience or capabilities that would assist the Board, please consider applying to become a Board Director. And please pass this solicitation on to colleagues who may be well suited.
We will soon call for nominees for the next Board. If you would like to speak with current Board members about the tasks involved, write to president@artsound.fm.
ArtSound particularly encourages younger listeners to apply.
A reminder to all ArtSound members
With our 2026 AGM coming in May, all ArtSound members please note that membership lapses if the annual fee is not paid within two months of coming due. If you are uncertain about the status of your membership please contact the ArtSound Office at admin@artsound.fm or if you have access, check on Membershipworks.
Two ArtSound contributions to Upstageing Canberra
The Dear Departed: In March, ArtSound collaborated with Mill Theatre to stage an adaptation of The Dear Departed. The play by Stanley Houghton was loosely adapted for radio by ArtSound Radio Theatre producer/host, Bart Meehan; Lexi Sekuless directed the production, and a wonderfully talented cast performed it to full houses and positive reviews.
ArtSound’s Steve Little and Paul Marsh filmed and recorded the play for broadcast later this year, as well as for posting on YouTube. The Dear Departed was part of ArtSound’s contribution to Upstageing Canberra Festival.
Autumn Days: Also in late March, on a wonderful autumn day, Canberrans filled the gardens of Manuka Arts Centre to watch Autumn Days, a show of monologues and short plays. A talented cast of actors performed these original pieces to an appreciative audience, who laughed or were sometimes moved to tears. Autumn Days, too, was part of ArtSound’s contribution to Upstageing Canberra Festival.
It, too, was positively reviewed. “Autumn Days confirmed the power of radio drama,” Helen Musa wrote in City News.
Launch of Digital Studio Upgrade phase one
ArtSound has completed the first phase of its Digital Studio Upgrade: our broadcast Studio 1 is now ready for use.
This is the first such installation in the Australasian region, and it has attracted international attention due to its rare combination of physical and virtual control surfaces in an easy-to-use format. ArtSound technology manager Chris Deacon has already begun work on upgrading additional studios.
Meanwhile, Tim McNamara, chair of ArtSound’s training committee, is leading extensive volunteer training in the new technology.
A meeting of technologists
On March 24, Chris Deacon, ArtSound’s Manager of Technology and co-founder, returned for the first time in 46 years to another station he helped to establish, sister station 2XX. With him was Rodger Bean, a member of both ArtSound’s and 2XX’s technical team (pictured right along with Chris Deacon, centre, and Neville Blyth from 2XX’s tech team).
2XX is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In June, CMAG (Canberra Museum and Gallery) will feature the station in a display of memorabilia. Neville Blyth interviewed Chris and Rodger about their experiences in community radio. Chris explained that 2XX’s predecessor, Radio ANU (of which he was also one of the founders in the early 1970s, and first on-air presenter), was the basis for what community radio has become in Canberra: the genesis of 2XX, and subsequently the creation of ArtSound FM and CMS Radio.
Volunteer Expo
ArtSound volunteers took part in March in the Volunteer Expo held at the University of Canberra. Julie Finch-Scally reports that many attendees approached the ArtSound booth to say how much they value the station. About 20 people signed up to get a later studio tour, and perhaps to volunteer at the station. Thanks to Steve Little, Joanne Craigie (pictured above), and others who assisted Julie on the day.
Generous Donors Thanks You Party
ArtSound held a donors party in late March. Julie Finch-Scally, chair of the fundraising committee, reports that although it was a wet evening, we still had a great turn up. The band Poetry in Motion, which includes Joanne Craigie and another ArtSound volunteer, Paul Marsh, entertained and made the evening a great success.
Concert Action Team
ArtSound is establishing an action team to coordinate the ArtSound Garden Concert Series. The team will be responsible for identifying artists as well as providing logistical support for the events. This activity is an important part of our support of ACT artists, as well as providing income for ongoing operations of ArtSound. If you are able to be part of this team please contact Julie at admin@artsound.fm.
Call for radio-drama scripts
You, too, could be featured in an ArtSound Radio Players production. If you have a script that would be suitable for radio, or even an idea for a radio play but you’re not sure where to start, get in touch with ArtSound Radio Theatre, which airs Sundays at 4pm (repeated Mondays at 10pm). The highly experienced troupe may be able to help. Write to help@artsound.fm.
ArtSound’s podcasting meetup
Members are invited to attend ArtSound’s fortnightly Podcasting Meetup. It’s an informal gathering of podcast enthusiasts — some experienced, some beginners — who discuss podcast skills, approaches, and content.
The group generally meets every second Monday from 5:30-6:30pm in ArtSound’s dedicated podcast studio. To inquire about joining in, write to podcast@artsound.fm.
Are you our next presenter?
Do you have good knowledge of an area of arts practice that could make for compelling arts radio, or are you keen to learn?
ArtSound is always interested in hearing from potential presenters who would like to create programs about specialist areas of arts in and around the ACT, or the world.
Perhaps you have specialised knowledge in, say, opera, or film music, or radiophonic art, or non-music subjects related to arts or culture… or history or heritage… You tell us!
We can provide training in the relatively simple tasks involved in long- or short-form programming — either live to air or via pre-recording.
Please write to programmingcommittee@artsound.fm and we’ll get in touch to discuss the possibilities.
ArtSound production unit
Do you have skills or ideas for audio production? For example, have you wanted to create a series of short items about some aspect of ACT-region arts and culture? Or could you help us to create polished on-air announcements of various kinds?
ArtSound is expanding its production of promotional and sponsorship (advertising) announcements, along with short items to drop into our regular programming.
If you’d like to join us, or have ideas to share, get in touch via help@artsound.fm.
Canberra Southern Cross Club sponsorship
ArtSound is back on the Canberra Southern Cross Club Community Rewards list, which allows ArtSound supporters to contribute to our coffers simply by dining at the club’s various facilities.
Under the program, as a patron of the club, you can go to this link: https://csccmarketing.wufoo.com/forms/m1ti98210e4gdsx/ and add your CSCC member details. Then, every time you buy food and drinks at the CSCC, ArtSound will get 7.5% of what you spend, and the money goes towards our equipment upgrades and running costs.
Donations
We’re always grateful to receive donations to support our work, which includes featuring about 1,000 ACT-region artists on air annually along with specialty programming that supports and fosters arts activities in the ACT region.
ArtSound does this as an all-volunteer community radio station with expenses that run to more than $120,000 each year, almost half of them from the costs of transmitting to the ACT from Black Mountain and Mt Taylor.
If you can help, please use the QR code below to go directly to the ArtSound donation page. Or get in touch to talk about how you might help: admin@artsound.fm or 6295 7444.
Support ArtSound in any of many ways
Opportunities to help out at ArtSound are many. Some of them are:
Welcoming Committee members
Communications team members
Advertising reps
Presenters
Program producers and assistants
Music library helpers
ArtSound FM’s mission is to cultivate a vibrant arts community in the ACT region. Your memberships and donations sustain our year-long programming including our artist-centred features and interviews and our many broadcasts of live recordings of concerts in and around Canberra.
Thank you for being part of ArtSound!
Please go online to artsound.fm to take out membership or donate.
Or, send your contact details and a description of how you think you can help to help@artsound.fm.
Or phone (02) 6295 7444 — if necessary, please leave a message and we’ll get back to you.
Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
ArtSound is an all-volunteer community radio station.
Please forward this newsletter to any possibly interested friends and family members.
And if you have any suggestions about items to include in this bulletin, please send them to newsletter@artsound.fm at least three days before the end of the month.
