ALYSSA STEVENSON
Lately Denton's crowdfunding projects have been pretty fierce, and we've seen several projects get fully funded. We love seeing how supportive our community is of local creative projects and small business ventures. This week we've rounded up a few great projects that have us inspired and our hearts warmed at the creative community we're so honored to be a part of. Read on to find out how you can support a small local radio station, a woodworking co-op and a unique kids show.
Denton is an eclectic city full of talented artists and musicians, and KUZU is all about making sure they have a place to come together and create a space for artistic expression, local affairs and most importantly, a new way to experience music. According to the creators of KUZU, "The desire to harness airwaves and improve the musical landscape has been talked about for years among local citizens, students, artists, and musicians. The problem has always been access to the airwaves. It is no easy feat running a radio station, and up until recently, out of reach monetarily for most. With the Local Community Radio Act of 2010, a brand new classification of radio stations was created and the broadcast licenses were free for nonprofits. These new radio stations are called LP-FMs, meaning Low Power FM stations. They are capped at 100 watts, yielding about a 3-mile radius, and are required to be noncommercial, community-run stations. The size and scope of this class of radio is a perfect fit for Denton. Beyond that we will also be streaming online 24/7, so that the entire world can have a Denton experience."
We know that KUZU is 100% community focused, but the emphasis on local is amazing. This goes beyond what most people deem 'local radio' and will create a truly community-centric outlet for Denton citizens. KUZU creator Peter Salisbury said, "The whole idea is community driven. Our ideal is that KUZU would help create a connection to everyone in the community and allow for everyone’s voice to be heard. We are required by law to have at least 8 hours a day of local programming. Our plan is to have almost 100% local programming. What does that mean? Well it means that the voices you hear on KUZU will be your neighbors’, and it is entirely up to them on what to broadcast through the air. We plan on being present in the community and help promote healthy growth and camaraderie." KUZU plans on engaging listeners by sharing music from all genres, radio dramas, live book readings, kids radio hour, student news, food and drink shows, emergency broadcasts, house show bootlegs, interviews, and political debates and more. If you want to hear it or share it - this will be your platform to broadcast it. Help KUZU reach their goal in their final days of fundraising by supporting them on their Kickstarter page here.
Lumber Forge is a community woodworking shop that is being started by Austin Adkins for several reasons, but my primarily because woodworking is an art that he has come to love over the last decade and wants to share with others. According to Austin, "Woodworking is somewhat scarce, especially among younger folks like me, and the lack of space, tools, and training are probably the chief culprits for this dearth. It's just not really a craft that you can stumble upon - the tools are highly specialized and expensive, and they require a ton of space! Even if you have tool access, it's extremely difficult to learn the craft without guidance. For those already established in woodworking, spacial limitations restrict expansion and growth. Most people can't upgrade to professional quality tools because they are huge and expensive. Folks might never get a chance to turn a beautiful sculpture on a lathe because quality lathes are thousands of dollars and carry with them a large shop footprint. Lumber Forge will allow me to provide the space, tools, and training for people to experience an art form that was previously inaccessible."
We think that sounds pretty dang cool. He wants to make sure there is a safe space with great tools that anyone can try out without having the additional overwhelming costs associated with it. Live in a small space? Garage is full of cars and no room for equipment? Not sure how to use that planer or saw or thingymabob? This is the place to learn and try it out. Austin is also talking about sustainability through salvaging fallen trees and cutting it down into lumber that people can then turn around and create with. Feel like this project is speaking to your inner woodworker? Head over and support the project!
Noel MacNeal got his start as a puppeteer start on the Sesame Street before working his way through our childhood memories on a plethora of kid-centric puppet forward kid series. One of the series sparked the idea for the Show Me Show, a children's show focused on developing social and emotional skills for kids with autism and special needs. He wants the show to be an outlet that is not only educational but can also be a starting for discussions that take place between children and family members. With an immense knowledge of the field and the years of experience behind him, Noel thinks getting fully funded will help him launch a pilot that will be downloadable and will help him shop around to major online networks like Netflix and Hulu.