Louisville Public Media, the umbrella organization for 89.3 WFPL News, Classical 90.5, 91.9 WFPK Radio Louisville and the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, announces the public launch of its $7 million “Raise Your Voice” capital campaign. At present, the organization has raised $5.25 million towards this goal.
The funds raised will go towards renovating the current Louisville Public Media offices and studios at 619 S. Fourth St. in Louisville, upgrades in technology and investments in programming that allow the organization to respond to the growing demand for engagement with its community.
Facility renovations include: an expanded newsroom, a welcoming lobby space, an updated performance studio, new equipment, updated studios and music library, and new offices for staff. Louisville-based architects Luckett & Farley have been hired to design and execute the building updates. Construction on the project is expected to begin in late July 2016 and conclude in January 2017. Building renderings can be downloaded here.
“We’ve seen rapid growth in public radio in Louisville during the last few years, and our facility is now bursting at the seams,” said Donovan Reynolds, Louisville Public Media’s President and General Manager. “The capital campaign will help to fund an urgently needed renovation of our historic downtown facility and make it an even better community resource for the digital age.”
The “Raise Your Voice” campaign includes significant investments in content and programming. The Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting was established as a result of this campaign to serve the public interest with non-partisan, non-ideological high-quality journalism. 89.3 WFPL News has expanded with reporters covering the economy and community health.
In addition, investments have been made in music education outreach to area schools. A full-time education programs manager has been hired to bring the magic of classical music into local classrooms and community centers. A visual media producer enables us to expand and share content on a variety of platforms.
Investments in new technology allow for audiences to consume and engage with programming in a variety of ways. These upgrades include a newly redesigned WFPL News website, new apps for 89.3 WFPL and 91.9 WFPK, and a Louisville Public Media app that allows users to stream the station of their choice. We are also investing in new soundboards, microphones and decks in our studios to ensure radio broadcasts are delivered to listeners clearly and reliably.
Additional details on the “Raise Your Voice” capital campaign can be found at Campaign.LouisvillePublicMedia.org. Louisville Public Media will host an on-air phase of the campaign from June 13-18.
We extend our gratitude to the members of our capital campaign committee who have volunteered to lead these efforts:
Bill and Barbara Juckett, Co-Chairs
Summer Auerbach and S. Brandon Coan, Co-Chairs
Tyler Allen
Charlie Farnsley
Todd Lowe
Ron Murphy
Ben Ruiz
Lee Smith
Peter Wayne
