Public access television stations across the country are transforming into media and technology centers. In Minnesota, the nonprofit St. Paul Neighborhood Network started 25 years ago as part of the public access TV movement. Over the years, the organization has expanded its reach to help residents learn new skills, and aid nonprofits and civic organizations in creating better media programming.

I caught up with SPNN Executive Director Mike Wassenaar at the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture conference in Boston last month. Wassenaar is a passionate community media advocate who also works with the national group Alliance for Community Media. You can hear him talk about SPNN and the vital role that public access TV and media and technology centers play in their communities on Media Minutes.

There was a lot of talk at NAMAC about the connection between media arts and media policy. It’s clear that artists and media policy folks share similar views on the need for a multitude of media outlets and better and more democratic distribution of media content. Artists and media reformers could be powerful allies in the fight for a more independent and diverse media system. Working together, they can engage the public in obscure but important media policy issues. Craig Aaron of Free Press gave a good example of this kind of collaboration in his address to the conference.

Mike Wassenaar on Media Arts and Media Policy

With increased competition for funding for artists and arts organizations, artists have to find new ways of promoting their work. Community media centers and artists can be powerful allies in promoting arts and culture.

Mike Wassenaar on Media Centers and Media Arts