Current and past Radio Arte students, volunteers, and staff are mobilizing in response to the announcement by the National Museum of Mexican Art (NMMA) that the 90.5 FM frequency is up for sale. At a meeting this week Carlos Tortolero, president of the NMMA announced that he and the board of directors have decided to transition Radio Arte’s programs, which would also lead to the sale of the building and the station antenna to various prospective buyers. This group, calling itself the Latino Media Cooperative (LMC), has as it’s goal to research, organize, and advocate for a sustainable model of a community-owned and operated radio station that can continue to serve the local community through the 90.5 FM frequency.
90.5 FM WRTE Radio Arte Chicago is one of only 33 Latino public radio stations in the country and the only one in Chicago. At the core of the radio station is an award winning, cost-free journalism and digital media training program available to youth throughout the city. This program has been a resource to many of Chicago’s leading Latino media makers and community organizers through its focus on youth empowerment, first-voice media making, and connection to community and social justice issues.
The group will file for 501c3 non-profit status and is researching potential funding sources.
Radio Arte has been a program of the NMMA since 1996 when the museum bought the license from the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago.
