ArtSound June 2026: A Vice-Regal Visit, Radiothon Underway & Big Milestones
Your monthly behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening at Canberra’s home for arts and music radio.
A Vice-Regal Visit to ArtSound
On 6 May, ArtSound was honoured by an official visit from our Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia. Her Excellency officially opened our new digital studio, spoke warmly to invited guests, and spent time mingling with our wonderful volunteers.
The Governor-General recalled her formative years in Canberra, where ArtSound was part of her life through her family’s connections to the local jazz scene. It was a genuinely moving occasion — a much-loved local institution welcomed back by one of its earliest listeners.
Radiothon 2026 Is Live — Please Support Us!
Our annual Radiothon is running throughout June, and your support has never mattered more. ArtSound is entirely volunteer-run — no paid staff — and receives no funding from ArtsACT. We rely on memberships, sponsorships, and your donations to keep the lights on (literally — electricity bills are real!).
You can donate right now by visiting artsound.fm and clicking the red heart. If you can’t see it, tap the hamburger menu (the three parallel lines) — it’s in there. Every dollar counts.
We’re also posting Radiothon reels throughout June on Instagram and Facebook — follow us at @artsoundfm on both platforms.
AGM 2026: Welcome, New Board
Our Annual General Meeting was held on 26 May. Outgoing President Bart Meehan handed over to Steve Little, who now leads ArtSound’s new Board. Thank you to Bart for his dedicated service, and welcome to the incoming team. Full Board details are on the website.
Community Radio: $153 Million for Australian Music
A recent report from Monash University confirms what many of us suspected: Australian community radio stations contribute an estimated $153 million in annual added value to the local music industry. ArtSound is proud to be part of that story. Read the full report at Media Week →
Behind the Microphone: Welcome, Meri Tibbitts
We’re delighted to welcome Meri Tibbitts as the new presenter on Senior Memories, taking over the Thursday timeslot. A recently retired librarian, Meri came through ArtSound’s Introduction to Broadcasting training course and brings a deep love of music from across the decades.
Radio is in Meri’s blood — her father, John Duncan, hosted Sunday Sounds on Wagga Wagga’s Radio 2WG for nearly 20 years. Meri is now fulfilling a lifelong dream to follow in his footsteps. You’ll also hear her voice on Arts Cafe, where her background in journalism and theatre makes her a natural arts interviewer.
ArtSound Radio Theatre: 250 Shows and Counting
ArtSound Radio Theatre recently aired its 250th program — a remarkable milestone for a show that launched in late 2019. Host and producer Bart Meehan joined Arts Cafe‘s Neil Doody to reflect on the journey, which has seen dozens of Canberra actors and writers contribute original work, some of which has gone on to win awards at theatrical festivals.
The 250th show featured The Dear Departed, a radio adaptation of a Stanley Houghton play, produced in collaboration with Mill Theatre and staged as a live radio play over six sellout performances. The filmed performance is available on the ArtSound FM YouTube channel. Read more about how it all came together →
ArtSound Radio Theatre airs every Sunday at 4pm, with a replay Monday evenings at 10pm.
AYO Applications Open for 2027
ArtSound sponsor and supporter the Australian Youth Orchestra is now accepting applications for its 2027 season. Applications are open to talented orchestral musicians and emerging arts leaders aged 12–30. Programs include National Music Camp, AYO Symphonists, and an international tour to Singapore. Apply at ayo.com.au →
The Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) is one of the world’s most prestigious and innovative training organisations for young musicians. It holds a vital and unique place in Australia’s musical landscape: bringing together exceptional artists, tutors and young musicians from every corner of the country and beyond.
For 75 years, the Australian Youth Orchestra has played an integral role in developing Australia’s finest musicians, thinkers and cultural leaders. Their specialised training pathways have been created to nurture the musical development of gifted young instrumentalists: from school-aged musicians to those on the verge of a professional career. Alongside renowned performance programs for talented young people under the age of 25, they offer complementary courses for aspiring composers, arts administrators, sound engineers and music journalists aged up to 30 years.
Support ArtSound via the Southern Cross Club
ArtSound is back on the Canberra Southern Cross Club Community Rewards list. If you’re a CSCC member, simply register your details here and ArtSound will receive 7.5% of your food and drinks spending — at no extra cost to you. Easy money for the station while you enjoy your meal!
Get Involved
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.
Thank you for being part of ArtSound.
ArtSound FM — 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith ACT 2603 | T: 02 6295 7444 | W: artsound.fm
Newsletter contributions: admin@artsound.fm(please submit at least three days before month end)
