The Chelsea Resilient Podcasting Project launches September 2022 at the Chelsea Public Library. Teens are sought to be part of this paid opportunity to learn the skills of podcasting and create the first programs using the library’s new podcasting equipment.
Over twelve sessions held at the library, young people will meet with trainers from Somerville Media Center. SMC is a digital makerspace in Somerville and the organization’s talented staff have has been teaching digital media and media literacy to youth and adults for forty years. Boston Free Radio, a consortium of internet radio and podcast producers, is based here.
In two-hour workshops, the group of young people and library staff will learn all aspects in podcasting from ideation to production to distribution. The hands-on sessions will introduce participants in recording and editing quality audio as well as the skills to create a compelling program such as storytelling, interview techniques, and the use of music.
Workshops will take place on Wednesdays from 3 to 5 pm starting September 14 through until December 14, 2022. There will be no meetings on October 5 and November 23. For taking part, teens will receive a $30 VISA gift card for their attendance at each meeting.
Together the group will produce a series of podcasts to illuminate the mural on Fifth Street by David Fichter entitled Chelsea Resilient: Call and Response Through the Ages. This detail-rich artwork tells the story of four hundred years of Chelsea history. The podcasts will give background on the people and places depicted in this local landmark. The completed podcasts will be distributed through Boston Free Radio and a new podcast channel from the Chelsea Library.
Both David Fichter’s mural and this podcasting project are presented by Chelsea Prospers, the City of Chelsea’s initiative for neighborhood vitality with funding provided by the City of Chelsea and the Chelsea Cultural Council’s Heritage Celebration Grant program.
The equipment and expertise acquired through this project enable the creation of a fully functional podcasting center at the Chelsea Public Library. Starting this winter, portable audio equipment, including high quality microphones, handheld recording devices and accessories, will be available to check out for use like a library book. Work stations at the library will provide the means to edit audio files and package a completed show for distribution on Chelsea’s podcasting channel, Boston Free Radio or your own venue.
For more information, contact the Chelsea Public Library at (617) 466-4350 or Mimi Graney at Chelsea Prospers at mgraney@chelseama.gov.
Want to join in the fun? Follow this link to complete the Interest Form.