ArtSound FM has been awarded a significant grant from the Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF) to support the Canberra community station to replace their ageing transmitter at Telstra tower. The new transmitter will improve sound quality and coverage, providing clearer and more reliable FM broadcasts.

Chris Deacon OAM, Vice President and Technology Manager at ArtSound, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to the Community Broadcasting Foundation for their timely support. This grant will enable us to enhance our transmission capabilities and ensure the ongoing operation of our station. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team of volunteers, and the loyal support of our listeners.”

Bill Stephens, a long-time volunteer of the station as well as locally renowned theatre critic also this week handed over to the care of the National Film and Sound Archive the entire archive of material recorded at The School of Arts Cafe in Queanbeyan between 1985 and 2000. He is pictured here with NFSA Sound Curator Thorsten Kaeding.

The archive includes performances recorded by Artsound and videoed by Robert Roach including the master tapes of performances by June Bronhill, Nancye Hayes, Toni Lamond, Geraldine Turner, Donna Lee, Dennis Olsen, David Campbell, Tim Draxl, Todd McKenney, Tim Minchin, Jeanne Little, Janet Seidel, John O’May, Hazel Phillips, Judy Glen, Kane Alexander, Simon Burke, Lynn Rogers, Mark Holden, Amanda Bishop, Derek Metzger, Bruce Barry, Combo Fiasco, Dale Burridge, Jon Finlayson, Noel Ferrier, Martin Lass and many, many more significant Australian performers and artists. Also included are 140 episodes of Red Velvet and Wild Boronia. Stephens’ weekly radio program on Artsound FM and the Community Radio Network (CRN), produced from the material recorded at the SOAC. It commenced in January 2007.

ArtSound promotes local arts, culture, and a variety of music on FM92.7 & 90.3, DAB+ and online platforms.