Posted by chicagomedia.org on April 08, 2009 at 17:50:58:
CHICAGO PUBLIC RADIO'S THIRD COAST INTERNATIONAL AUDIO FESTIVAL MAKES TRANSITION TO AN INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION
(CHICAGO , IL) - A production of Chicago Public Radio, the Third Coast International Audio Festival is beginning its transition to an independent 501 (c)(3) organization, which it plans to complete by August 1, 2009.
The Third Coast Festival was created by Chicago Public Radio in 2000 to support producers and other artists creating audio documentary and feature work of all styles and to bring this fresh and vital work to audiences throughout the world. Over the past nine years, the Third Coast Festival has grown into a unique, year-round project featuring an annual competition, conference, public audio challenge, weekly radio program Re:sound, a vibrant public event series and more.
Chicago Public Radio made the decision to spin-off the Third Coast Festival in November 2008 and withdrew its financial support as of April 1. The station will help ensure the success of the Third Coast Festival by providing office and studio space to the staff for at least a year.
The Third Coast Festival will continue to host its annual 2009 Third Coast Festival/Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Competition, with the official call for entries announced in early May. During this transitional year, as the staff focuses on major organizational activities, the Third Coast Festival will not hold its annual conference in Chicago or public audio challenge.
"We're able to move forward as an independent organization thanks to the generosity of The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, and to the growing list of supporters who care about the future of the Festival," says Johanna Zorn, executive director for the Third Coast Festival.
"We started the Third Coast Festival nine years ago as a small idea, motivated by the lack of attention given to outstanding audio work," says Chicago Public Radio president & CEO Torey Malatia. "Today, the Festival showcases the outstanding work of audio producers of all experience levels and from all corners of the world. We could not be more proud that the Festival has found its wings and we wish it even more success as an independent organization."
(Press Release)