The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center is a grassroots organization committed to using media production and distribution as tools for promoting social and economic justice in the Champaign County area. We foster the creation and distribution of media, art, and narratives emphasizing underrepresented voices and perspectives and promote empowerment and expression through media and arts education. To this end, the IMC owns and operates a Community Media and Arts Center housed in the historic downtown Urbana post office building located at 202 S. Broadway Ave at Elm Street. The center includes a stage, radio station, production studios, art studios, library, and meeting spaces. We are part of the Indymedia network - an affiliation of over 200 media centers across every continent.
How to get involved at the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center:
Become a member of the UCIMC! --
Visit the membership page for more details or stop by the IMC. Without the financial support of our membership the UCIMC simply would not exist. Membership involves a donation on a sliding of $25-$50 per year. Members are welcome to use the center for rehearsals and gatherings for free/reduced prices. Find out more by contacting our Space Coordinator at shows (at) ucimc.org.
Come to an event or stop by --
Check out the calendar to view upcoming events and open hours. Stop in and introduce yourself, browse our library or bookstore, and take advantage of the free wireless connectivity or public access computers. We are located in downtown Urbana post office building at 202 South Broadway at Elm Street and Broadway. Any bus that goes to downtown Urbana comes to our doorstep.
Plug into a working group or project --
The UCIMC is organized into Working Groups which each have responsibility for different areas of the Center's operations. A good way to get involved is to attend a meeting for the Working Group that most interests you. All group meetings are open to the public and all groups are eager to accept new members! You can also sign up to be on any of the Working Groups' e-mail list at http://lists.chambana.net/.
You may attend the IMC's semi-monthly Steering Group or semi-annual General Membership meetings to get a sense of the overall workings of the IMC.
.
UC Independent Media Center Working Groups:
Sponsored Programs housed in the IMC:
Other projects found at the IMC:
General Membership
Description: This group is made up of everyone who is a member of the IMC. The General Membership is responsible for setting the general direction of the IMC and is the only group that can change the U-C IMC's governing structure document. Anyone can become an IMC member -- visit the the membership page or IMC for details.
Meetings: bi-annually, on the 1st Saturday afternoon of April and the 1st Thursday Evening of October. The General Membership is responsible for setting the general direction of the IMC and is the only group that can change the U-C IMC's governing structure.
E-mail list: imc@ucimc.org
To join the E-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc
Steering
Group
Description: This is the group charged with the regular planning and decision making that affects all IMC working groups, including space decisions. Each working group appoints two members to the steering group, but participation and attendance is open to everyone.
Meetings: First Thursday of the month, 8-9pm @ IMC
E-mail: The Steering Group does not have its own e-mail list -- all communication takes place on the general IMC list (imc@ucimc.org).
Finance
Description: Handles accounting and takes care of fundraising activities, including policies, soliciting funders, grant-writing, fiscal sponsorships, and overseeing retail sales of books, periodicals, supplies, arts and crafts.
Meetings: Every Thursday at 5:30 PM @ the IMC
E-mail list: finance@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-space
Librarians
and Archivists
Description: Responsible for building and maintaining the IMC's progressive library project and archive of media materials; including a renowned zine collection.
Meetings: Not currently meeting - needs volunteers.
Website: www.ucimc.org/library
E-mail list: imc-librarians@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-librarians
Books to Prisoners
Description: UC Books to Prisoners accepts book request letters from Illinois inmates, finds books that meet their needs, and sends them out with a personalized letter. They also have created, stocked, and now staff the Champaign County Jail libraries.
Meetings: Work Meetings Tuesdays, 7-9pm; Thursdays, 2-4pm; Saturdays, 2-4pm.
Website: www.books2prisoners.org
E-mail list: bookstoprisoners@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/bookstoprisoners
Outreach
Description: Outreach developed out of a recognition that the IMC needs to continue to increase its membership base and diversity, to keep current members well informed about their organization, and to present a consistent and complete public presence to the community.
Meetings: The Outreach Group is not meeting currently and needs volunteers. Please contact the group via its email list.
E-mail list: imc-outreach@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-outreach
Print
Description: This group assembles the IMC's
monthly newspaper the public i.
Meetings: Thursdays 5:30 PM @ IMC.
Website: http://publici.ucimc.org/
E-mail list: print@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-print
Radio News
Description:
Coordinated the production of the weekly IMC Radio News Program, heard on WEFT 90.1 FM and otehr putlets, for five years. Currently not meeting, but will train interested parties in radio production for any outlet through the WRFU or Production groups.
Meetings:Not currently meeting, contact WRFU and Production to produce radio.
Website: radio.ucimc.org
E-mail list: radio@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-radio
Shows
Description: Coordinates booking of bands and shows for IMC performances and handles temporary performance space rentals. Trains members in lighting and sound.
Meetings: Every Thursday at 7:00 pm
Website: Shows Group/Booking information
E-mail list: shows@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-shows
Staff
Description: Staff are the volunteer members of the IMC who keep the UCIMC space open to the public. Staff shifts can be scheduled when you are available to volunteer.
Meetings: Irregularly Scheduled
E-mail:staff@ucimc.org
To joint the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-staff
Tech
Description: Responsible for the tech and equipment needs of the Center, including the IMC website, computer networking and electronics, and the chambana.net server. This group needs people with experience in these areas or who are looking to learn.
Meetings: Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 6:00pm in the main space
E-mail list: tech@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-tech
Production
Description: Has produced short and long-form video, IMC Radio News, and sponsored programming onto public-access TV. The IMC Production Group manages the recording and editing facilities in the IMC Production Room and offers training and educational workshops on multimedia production and open-source media software.
Meetings: Every Wednesday at 7:00pm in the first floor of the IMC.
E-mail list: imc-production@lists.chambana.net
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-production
WRFU 104.5 FM
Description: WRFU-LP, 104.5 FM is an IMC-affliated and fiscally sponsored working group that operates a low-power public access community radio station located at the IMC. WRFU's programming features an eclectic mix of talk and music chosen by volunteer members of WRFU. Each radio show is run by a collective.
Meetings: 1st Tuesday (8:00pm) and 3rd Saturday (1:00pm) of each month.
E-mail list: rfu@lists.chambana.net
To join e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/rfu
Website: www.wrfu.net
