Storyville Center for the Spoken Word, Inc. d/b/a The Moth

The Moth was created in 1997 to promote the timeless tradition of live storytelling and foster understanding among diverse audiences through the power and immediacy of personal narratives. The Moth Radio Hour presents the best and most socially relevant personal stories recorded at the live events, reaching approximately 1 million listeners a week on 260 public radio stations, and a weekly podcast with 300,000 subscribers. A MacArthur grant will support The Moth Radio Hour, including staff salaries, technical expenses, and distribution costs.

The Moth, launched in 1997, is dedicated to the art of nonfiction storytelling, a form of self-told documentary. The Moth has grown rapidly in recent years, both programmatically and geographically. This grant will help solidify The Moth over time: (1) it will support a new digital archive for past and future material; (2) it will support the growth needed to expand The Moth Radio Hour to a weekly broadcast; and (3) it will provide a cash reserve enabling better future planning and a cushion in periods of short-term loss of income.

The Moth, launched in 1997, is dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. This grant will support The Moth Radio Hour. Stories for the Radio Hour are selected from The Moth’s live events, where storytellers receive extensive coaching to make their personal stories relevant, moving, and entertaining. The Radio Hour is broadcast on over 225 public radio stations, reaching an estimated audience of 750,000. The Moth Radio Hour is currently produced ten times per year. The grant will support production and help it expand to a weekly program.

In support of The Moth Radio Hour (over two years).