For more information on the aims on the campaign please see here.
Welcome to ArtSound
We have not asked you for help for a long time.
I need to convey to all our listeners and the Canberra community as a whole, that ArtSound stands at a defining moment in its history as we try to work our way through what can be described as a perfect storm of challenges, in a very different world to that in which community radio was first established around forty years ago.
A sustainable new funding base is urgently needed, to allow ArtSound to not only survive but prosper, as a relevant and vital part of the Canberra community: a well-run arts media organization that reflects and enhances the cultural life of that community.
That is the vision of the ArtSound Board.
ArtSound is not alone in the situation it finds itself in. Other community stations report similar issues including that usual revenue streams are drying up and philanthropic funds are harder to access.
We need new contributors, ideas and, new funding sources if ArtSound is to have a future.
During this period we are taking the opportunity to complete the program recommissioning process our program committee started many months ago. Programs will start returning to air as soon as possible with the support of our presenters, without whose commitment to the station we would not be able to function.
We also hope that with fresh community participation we will confirm whether our licenced community of interest has changed and if so how that impacts current programs and the development of new ones.
The decision to interrupt our normal broadcast was not taken lightly.
It has been clear for some time that without bold action and significant financial support from new sources, together with improvement in some of our program delivery, ArtSound will cease to broadcast.
We needed to establish with the wider community if what we do matters or not and, if we have enough support to get us through the current uncertain period.
Be a part of this journey to create great arts radio with us: Donate; Participate; Rejuvenate
Thank you,
Amalijah Thompson
Albert Orszaczky, Wanniassa ACT On October 19, 2019 at 10:24 am
The President’s comments are acknowledged and the situation is certainly most regrettable. Nevertheless, the decision to remove live broadcasting is most disappointing as it is the most effective way to promote the listener’s appreciation and knowledge of the music being heard and events being promoted. The announcement of the song/tune title and artist is an integral part of that education aspect, as well as the promotion of potential sales of the recordings.
I have particularly enjoyed the wide range of music in the Sounds Early programs presented by Ian McLean and Stewart Warner, which have contributed to my enjoyment and appreciation of the many talented artists in various genres of music that I may not be aware of.
Hopefully, this important aspect is not lost in the pursuit of raising more funds for the continued survival of this important community station.
Bob Korbel, Adelaide SA On October 24, 2019 at 10:14 am
I completely agree with Albert Orszaczky on this issue. Graham Freeman does a great job as well. Why remove live broadcasting, when its the best way to promote your issues. Is this a threat, “donate or else” or is the station is such a bad way that is cant afford the extra cost for live broadcasts ? If its the later, then state it plainly.
Sam On October 21, 2019 at 12:59 pm
It’s a shame that ArtSound and other community stations find themselves in this difficult position. I shall make a small donation (my membership may be due for renewal soon – I hope I will be notified at the time), and hope that enough people do likewise.
I very much enjoy ArtSound’s musical presentations, even Sound Space (when there are no announcers to host programs); Arts Diary is a very good contribution to the regional community; and ArtSound’s support and recording of local artists and events are valuable also. Very best wishes with the campaign.
Andrew Downs On October 21, 2019 at 1:01 pm
Howdy
Love what you do and happy to support a sustainable future for ArtSound. Is there a community membership opportunity for people to support and be involved? Happy to donate but that seems a bandaid compared to being involved in an active community..
Cheers
Andrew
Laurence On October 23, 2019 at 12:15 pm
I support ArtSound FM and am donating to keep it operating. However, I am concerned if there is no opportunity for musical programs which incorporate sentimentality and nostalgia in their selections.
I applaud efforts by the station to provide training for new presenters. The best presenters are very good while the worst are self- indulgent and talk too much. I do hope ArtSound FM raises the $150,000 it needs to keep operating for six months. Would it be worth-while applying to the ACT Government for a one-off injection of funds? Meanwhile, the station needs to keep a closer watch on its membership renewal notices.
Best wishes
Laurie and Charmaine
P Manning On October 23, 2019 at 1:02 pm
Hello ArtSound, Best wishes on the fund-raising and awareness-raising efforts. Our family is one of those who have been slack in ‘doing our part’ to donate, while enjoying the listening. Have rectified this now. We enjoy all the programs (well, maybe not so much the brass-band segment, but others do), especially the 9-10am M-F music history thing; ‘Down in the Basement’, world-music programs, jazz, folk, all of them, really. It’s a joy to hear local volunteers’ music programs, as well as things like the Kentucky thing. The hourly news, reminds me of time passing when I’m working from home. We like that there is a rotation of early-morning presenters/music styles; as well as selections from local music festivals and concerts. My intention is to take the broadcaster’s’ course — so here’s to all of Canberra making a $$ to support community radio!
With vast appreciation to all ArtSound’s volunteers — from admin to technicians, to the people who help out on the book/recording sale days, to announcers and their helpers.
There are those of us, who deeply enjoy the laziness of someone else creating and delivering the “playlist”. I hear music, anecdotes about composers and artists, their lives, their muse,I wouldn’t have otherwise been exposed to.
Ideas:
1, Create, with CIT music/media department, and UC’s media centre regular collaborations; this can help ‘spread the word’ and engage new audiences through these students’ participation and their family/friends who will tune in. I know, it can be a sloggy process… But the ‘real-time’ experience is something that could greatly benefit students. On the aspect of online-digital opportunities, perhaps UC folk have some revenue-raising ideas — for 21st Century listeners…
2s, Forgive me if you’ve already tried these avenues:
2a Consider making links with Farmers’ Markets, BusDepot Markets, other “makers’ ” workshops and similar, for broadcast.
2b What if you had “Handmade Radio”, for the December or March Handmade Market, for the quieter areas like the Parkes Room, and Stallholders’ quiet room? This is a popular event, and the organisers seem like they are very, very community minded.
3. A few years ago, at the Nat’l Folk Festival, there was the Radio Theatre (fantastic, loved it!) – could there be a regular (maybe once a school term) event at the Nat’l Museum or Canberra Museum? I know, they will want their cut… but maybe worth a thinky-thought.
Happy to put my time and brain-power to assist bringing any of these to bear fruit. : – ) Again, best wishes that the ArtSound community continues to bring radio into the next 40 years.
Kerry Sattler On October 24, 2019 at 6:02 pm
I was devastated when I heard of Artsound’s troubles. It’s the only radio station I listen to every day. I’m a Blues tragic, so regularly listen to ‘Down in The Basement’, and Friday/Saturday late music programs. Arts Cafe is always interesting too.
Deb Carroll On October 24, 2019 at 9:09 pm
I love ArtSound and have been a past business supporter (having to drop membership unwillingly).
ArtSounds diversity of content has always been very appealing.
What other station offers high end opera and Classical, metal (albeit soft) world music, jazz, mainstream popular and pretty much every genre? Very brave and totally fulfilling for my listening ear because I have very diverse tastes. It is a station I can play both at home and work depending on which clients I have in my workspace. And yes I pay my annual APRA license.
I love it on a Sunday when I’m either finishing up work admin or playing in my garden. I’m constantly surprised and entertained by the content. I mean one weekend there was a Pink Floyd special. Totally took me back to the joys of my miss-spent youth 😊
I’ve tried to send you money for a new business subscription but your website either drops out just prior to payment or freezes.
Possibly on hold until you work out the details?
Keep up the magnificent diverse work folks
Donald Thomas On October 24, 2019 at 9:29 pm
In recent years I’ve gone from a 30+ hour a week artsound addict to a 3-5 hour casual due to thr change in music. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the recent extended sound space comprising the music I love and gladly add a bit if a donation hoping the station gets back to the old genere mix and “tons of music with just enough talk”.
Derek Teichmann On November 4, 2019 at 1:43 pm
I love many of the shows on Artsound, however I moved away from Canberra and when I go back it always seems to be “let the bands play” not my favorite radio. I miss the rebroadcast programs that I also used to listen to on PBS in Melbourne. Now I am based in Cooma and can just about receive your station signal in some parts of the town, I might donate or renew my membership, but would like to see less talk and more 70’s and old jazz, blues, swing and classical and less talk.
Fred On November 6, 2019 at 12:24 pm
I will renew my membership. I have enjoyed ArtSound and have it on all day, almost exclusively. I find it is easy to work to the music when there is less talk because it doesn’t interrupt my concentration like talk does. Yes Sound Space is very good except when I want to know who I have just heard as a singer or instrumentalist.
Thanks to all the volunteers and I hope that we can find a benefactor(s) like Exploring Music has for there program and supporting station.
Errol Martin On November 6, 2019 at 5:12 pm
The emergency change to programming was only on the edge of my consciousness until today because I was only hearing ArtSound in my car – and I don’t drive around all that much. Anyway today I’ve come to the website, which is a really nice refresh by the way, and discovered you are once again broadcasting from the Telstra Tower, hooray!!! So now I can listen in again at home in Ainslie. I used to leave ArtSound on all the time and now I will do so again. Unlike some others I don’t really mind ‘Let the Bands Play’ at all, in fact it’s kind of weird and interesting. Like others it would be a help if the tracks on Sound Space were back-announced (I think that’s the term).
Now – membership. I used to renew every year. One time it did not happen and now I don’t know if I am a subscriber or not, because it seemed that there was a push for all renewals to happen at exactly the same time, end of November. That seems odd and surely there is a renewal software package that just lets people create their account and subscribe/renew anytime at all. Also my login seems to have disappeared from the last time I can be sure that I did renew, so no way to check my status anyway. So if as the Canberra Times reported subscription numbers are way down then maybe that is really the #1 problem for the station. I’m not going to get into debates about the right mix of music genres, I pretty much like them all. Cheers, thank you ArtSound team for working hard for all of us.