Third Coast International Audio Festival

The Third Coast International Audio Festival (Third Coast) is a Chicago-based non-profit organization that brings together the global audio, radio and podcasting field for an annual conference. It also creates local opportunities for the public to both experience and produce audio stories, holds an awards ceremony for the best audio pieces of the year, and supports audio storytellers from underrepresented backgrounds through a professional development residency. With this final grant from MacArthur, Third Coast is continuing these activities, to convene, curate, celebrate, and help develop the craft of audio storytelling and storytellers. 

The Third Coast International Audio Festival (Third Coast), based in Chicago, is the single national organization that brings the rapidly growing field of audio nonfiction storytelling together. It has contributed to the growth in audience and quality of audio programming through events and programs that provide professional development and networking for the journalists and documentarians working in this medium. It also creates opportunities for the general public to both experience and produce audio stories. Third Coast guides, supports, and recognizes radio producers at every stage of their careers through a series of programs: the biennial Third Coast Conference and Third Coast Filmless Festival, the annual ShortDocs Challenge, the Re:sound show, and the Third Coast/Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Competition. Support to the Third Coast International Audio Festival will allow the organization to convene, curate, and celebrate the craft of audio storytelling through its multifaceted programming. MacArthur funds will support general operations.

The Third Coast International Audio Festival selects the most creative and insightful audio stories produced for the radio and web from around the world to share with local, national, and international audiences across a variety of platforms. Third Coast provides support to producers, creates opportunities for new stories to be produced, and uses audio storytelling as a means to engage communities in dialogue about relevant social and cultural issues. Projects include the hour-long Re:sound show on WBEZ, the biennial Third Coast Conference, the ShortDocs Challenge, The Third Coast/Richard H. Driehaus Competition, and the Filmless Festival.

In support of general operations (over three years).