Radio Arte WRTE 90.5 FM, a youth initiative of the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, was the recipient of the prestigious "Coming Up Taller" Award for its work with local, underserved youth from the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Institute of Museum and Library Services. It was one of 18 organizations across the U.S. and in Mexico being honored.
The award of $10,000 was presented at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 5."As the only youth-operated, urban, bilingual, radio station, in the entire country, Radio Arte has made history for the type of programs we offer. Radio is rarely seen as an art form. Being a recipient of the Coming Up Taller award reaffirms what we have been so passionate about for so many years: that radio is an art form and that youth, when given the proper resources, can produce quality programs worthy of national recognition. We are honored to receive this award and are grateful to the Presidentís Committee on the Arts & Humanities for the recognition they are giving us," said Radio Arte's General Manager Jorge Valdivia.
The Coming Up Taller Awards recognize and support outstanding community arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of Americaís young people, provide them with new learning opportunities, and chances to contribute to their communities. The awards also highlights the contributions that historians, scholars, librarians, and visual and performing artists make to families and communities by mentoring and teaching children. Since the program's inception in 1998, 71 organizations have been honored from more than 2,000 nominations nationwide.
Radio Arte WRTE 90.5 FM, an outreach initiative of the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, is America's only Spanish-English, Latino-owned, youth-operated, 24-hour community broadcasting radio station, and serves the largest Mexican community in the Midwest. Annually 120 students, ages 15-21, are trained in radio production and broadcast. In addition, they design and format the station's programming, which includes everything from PSA's to informative programs.
Throughout training, students work directly with professional broadcasters in radio, television, and print, giving them direct access to journalists from leading Chicago media outlets. After successful completion of this program, participants are encouraged to find related radio internships in the Chicago area. In April 2002, Radio Arte received two Excellence in Production awards from the National Federation for Community Broadcasting.
The station also includes a special ongoing segment on gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans youth issues. The Coming Up Taller Awards are made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the individual, corporate and foundation contributors.
Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, 1852 W. 19th St., (312) 738-1503 x 145.
