A National Treasure:
CKUA houses one of the largest and most diverse collections of music on the continent – in excess of 1.5 million musical selections that embody the evolution of the world’s musical traditions through the 20th and 21st centuries – all in a building almost 100 years old and last renovated in 1957. Unlike many treasures, this one is accessible to anyone listening to CKUA, bringing the full experience to the people of Alberta and around the world. Indeed, CKUA’s Board, management, staff and volunteers, understand that CKUA itself is a cultural treasure, an independent Alberta voice – radio worthy of your time, interest and investment. CKUA is funded primarily through the generous contributions of its listeners and other donors. Your support is key.
The CKUA Library & Archives
A unique treasure…
‘29
‘27
Becomes the first in Edmonton to broadcast in stereo
Granted an FM radio license at 98.1 FM
‘74
‘49
‘87
The Alberta Educational Communications Corporation (ACCESS) takes over ownership
‘94
Listener-supported radio begins in face of provincial government threat to shut down station.
‘48
Sends newscasts via telephone line to northern Canada and Alaska at the request of the American army
‘45 Alberta Government Telephones assumes ownership
‘44
Signs on from its studios on University of Alberta campus “bringing the Carries Alberta’s first university to the people” School Broadcast
(May) – CKUA returns to the airwaves, with new Board and Management, following an outpouring of public support, political activism & fund raising from across Alberta & Canada
(April) – Station shut down and taken off-air by then Board/management, citing lack of operating funds
‘02
‘97
Becomes first Canadian station to broadcast over the Internet via RealAudio.
‘97
‘96
Privatization of CKUA begins, with ownership moved to the CKUA Radio Foundation
CKUA celebrates its 75th Anniversary as an Alberta and Canadian broadcast institution - Launched onto the World Wide Web
CKUA Facts Broadcasts cover 95% of all households in Alberta through a network of 17 transmitters situated across the province Market share of 18% of adult radio listening population in Alberta Engaged and involved listeners: 75% between 25 and 54 years of age 47% have an average household income over $68K 43% have a university degree
Some of Alberta’s finest personalities and musicians have stood on the shoulders of CKUA and reached for the stars: Bryan Hall Robert Goulet Joni Mitchell Amos Garrett k.d. lang Jann Arden Oscar Lopez
Community Involvement
\\Cultural support CKUA’s influence on Alberta’s thriving arts and culture scene spreads far and wide through its partnerships with a diverse range of organizations, from local venues and concert halls to the Alberta Ballet, Edmonton and Calgary Folk Music Festivals and Medicine Hat Jazz Festival to name a few. Support for the arts includes on-air promotion, live studio interviews and performances by top artists, on-site broadcasting and periodic releases of compilation CDs. \\School at the Legislature CKUA supports the School at the Legislature program, giving elementary students an in-depth opportunity to experience Alberta’s parliamentary process and learn about democracy. CKUA contributes on-air promotion, provides classroom tours and conducts seminars. \\Alberta Emergency Public Warning System In 1987, CKUA radio engineers and the Alberta government, designed and built the Alberta Emergency Public Warning System (EPWS). This internationally acclaimed system also forms the basis for Alberta’s AMBER Alert System and a National Public Alerting System being developed by the government of Canada. CKUA receives an annual fee from the government of Alberta for the ongoing maintenance, support and continued development of this vital public safety service.
“I like the diversity of people and the music.� - Robert, Library Volunteer
\\Community radio leadership CKUA is a leader in community radio and plays an active role representing the medium at the national level. “CKUA is one of the most successful ‘listener-supported’ radio stations in North America,” says Ken Regan, General Manager of CKUA. “As individuals and as an organization we are passionate about the medium and community radio’s place in Canadian culture and education.” \\Other community involvement Additional community partnerships include a leadership role in supporting and promoting the work of the Centre for Family Literacy and ongoing support and partnerships with the Heritage Community Foundation. \\CKUA Volunteers CKUA Radio knows that its accomplishments and goals are best served by the active participation of citizens in the community; volunteers are a vital, integral part of our business. Over 1,000 volunteers from across the province support CKUA’s work, acting as ambassadors and promoting its activities. Over 300 volunteers form the backbone of two annual on-air fund raising campaigns. Volunteers help in the music library, cataloguing, filing and responding to listener requests for information. Volunteers across the province assist with various arts and cultural events.
“…CKUA has expanded my horizons and opened my mind.” - Les, Red Chapter Volunteer
CKUA is… listener-supported radio that enriches the lives of Albertans through diverse music and original programming designed to entertain, inspire, enlighten and educate. an oral tradition in an otherwise visual world; an intelligent alternative in an often superficial medium a leader in community radio, in Alberta and across North America a charitable organization that contributes to life-long learning and a stronger community by enhancing and promoting a better understanding and appreciation of the arts, music, literature, history and culture.
CKUA listeners are … passionate in their commitment to “their” radio station.
dedicated to inspirational, educational and enlightened radio. over 7 million strong - 200,000 on any given day ivn Alberta … young and old, male and female, rich and poor. accessing by internet from around the globe… over 150,000 listening sessions monthly a community that, through music and educational programs, transcends cultural barriers to learn about each other and the world around them.
Programming CKUA provides a unique and inclusive radio experience in the best music genre traditions including jazz, folk, blues, world beat, classical, country and pop. Each program is custom tailored by knowledgeable, passionate hosts who choose pieces to both entertain and inform, taking their audiences beyond the familiar into sounds, worlds and ideas that are new to many, familiar to others and welcome by all.
Music as Educator CKUA contributes to Canadian broadcasting with an eclectic array of entertainment and information, comprehensive coverage of Alberta’s arts and culture community and passionate, knowledgeable hosts. For example, CKUA: develops and broadcasts programs to provide access to secondary and post-secondary credit courses as well as hands-on training and experiences in broadcasting represented Alberta’s rich musical culture to the world in 2006 through the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival and collaborates with the Smithsonian, Athabasca University and the University of Alberta to produce documentaries and other programming content actively affiliates with NAIT, SAIT, Grant MacEwen College, and Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts
Web Presence Through the World Wide Web and 24/7 real-time broadcasting, CKUA is one of Alberta’s greatest cultural ambassadors, making Albertan and Canadian music, arts, culture, news and viewpoints into offices and living rooms around the world and is even more accessible to Canadians living and travelling abroad. The CKUA website receives over 1.8 million visitors per year.
“… to be able to listen to eclectic radio … completely changes the way you hear music, you could hear Annie Lennox next to Frank Zappa next to Chopin – it makes each piece of music sound different – CKUA definitely did that for me.” - k.d. lang
“When I’m away, you bring me home…When I’m home, you bring me the world.” - Anonymous CKUA listener
CKUA is currently seeking funds to: help ensure the security and longevity of the library and archives provide continued leadership in community radio ensure adequate space and state-of-the-art technology support a community of leaders through the development of educational programming ensure the future of CKUA through endowment.
To further discuss your contribution options please contact: D. John McKenzie, Director of Development: 4th Floor, 10526 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, AB T5J 1Z7 Telephone: (780) 428-2019 E-mail john.mckenzie@ckua.com