UAL sounds like Arts Radio

by David Braid, Arts Radio Manager

Founded in late 2009, Arts Radio was created in the ethos of fostering a community amongst UAL’s six colleges.

Struggling against distance, constituent identities and the many distractions of London, Arts Radio aims to provide a relatable thread. Still very much in its infancy, Arts Radio is growing and popping-up in unexpected places.

So where can you find it? Arts Radio streams new content daily at artsradio.podomatic.com, which you can also access via the suarts.org homepage or even using the quick-launch icon on every computer on campus. Not to mention through the usual social media fixes Facebook and Twitter.

Arts Radio brings you a diverse range of content and boasts almost 20 regular shows amongst an ever evolving, swell line-up. The shows cover everything from a variety of music to chat shows, sports and news to interviews with artists and designers.

Not forgetting coverage of pressing UAL issues and events, along with many hybrid-shows, Arts Radio essentially gives listeners the best of everything.

There is no single genre that defines Arts Radio. It’s an orchestrated mix, which has a lot to do with the folks behind the scenes – people from Foundation to Masters, Fine Arts to Journalism to Product Design, Central Saint Martins to Chelsea, Arts Radio is the sound of UAL.

Reputation

Arts Radio is constantly trying to build on its reputation and image on campus. Arts Radio will soon be involved with UAL’s biggest party, ‘Arts of Noise’ – an experimental live night featuring music and dance.

The next one will be at Holborn’s Blueprint Bar on February 25. Arts Radio DJs have also been spinning at UAL events across campuses and spreading the tunes on the Less Common, More Sense’s online radio section.

Along with the evolution of technology, we have brought radio with us, each step of the way. What is it about it that we love so much?

Is it because it provides a platform for chatter, a source of information, an opportune access to another part of the world, or great company on a rainy journey home?

Or is it simply that we need human contact and radio gives us an intimate, personal connection that we just can’t seem to get from television?

If I were to make a guess, it would be because we are a curious and thoughtful species. We have incredible brains that we only seem to use to its full potential when of reflecting and listening.

That is what makes radio so powerful as a medium of communication. That is why UAL has its very own radio station: Arts Radio.

Horizon

What’s on the horizon for Arts Radio? The obvious answer is more great shows, more DJs, radio personalities, new formats and different ways of engaging people.

Arts Radio’s fundamental desire is to be more than just the buzz in the background. The ambition of Arts Radio is in establishing a collaborative presence in the community, to positively impact the lives of UAL students.

What this looks like in practice is engaging in big issues, involvement in non-traditional events and giving back to the community. So expect to hear and see more of Arts Radio in the months to come.

Arts London News will also be starting their brand new show on Arts Radio. Each week, the regular radio presenters will be joined by different members from Arts London News to talk about the highlights in that week’s edition.

Arts Radio streams new content daily at artsradio.podomatic.com, which you can also access via the suarts.org homepage or even using the quick-launch icon on every computer on campus. Not to mention through the usual social media fixes Facebook and Twitter.
If you think you’ve got the voice for radio and are interested in joining Arts Radio or have a project you would like to suggest, drop an email to radio@su.arts.ac.uk.