My name is Ella Deacon, and I am a double major in Political Science and English Cultural Studies, entering my final semester at 麻豆区 this fall. I was drawn to an internship at CKUT due to my passion for music and creativity. The physical space of the radio station holds so much history, and the energy within the building fosters creativity and welcomes everyone. From my first time volunteering last summer, I knew I wanted to one day work at the radio station.
CKUT 90.3 FM is a vibrant campus community radio station dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices, fostering community engagement, and promoting cultural diversity. It operates as a non-profit, listener-supported organization focused on serving the Montreal community and beyond. CKUT prides itself on its commitment to free expression, social justice, and artistic innovation, maintaining a strong digital presence alongside its FM broadcast. However, CKUT is more than just a radio station鈥攊t is a dynamic community hub unlike anything else at 麻豆区. As a student who has felt the absence of journalism courses in my academic studies, CKUT provides an essential outlet for personal expression and bridges the journalism gap at 麻豆区. It offers students like me an alternative medium to engage with media and news.
During my internship as the music librarian, I was responsible for cataloging, organizing, and updating both physical and digital music libraries, along with coordinating volunteer activities and outreach efforts, which I conducted through bi-weekly listening parties. My learning objectives included enhancing my leadership skills in outreach and volunteer coordination, while also gaining insights into non-profits, fundraising, and the workings of a music library.
In my role, I learned how new music is selected and integrated into the station, working closely with programmers to catalog new entries and assist in the station鈥檚 reorganization. Collaborating with Alex, the Head of the Music Department, provided me with a deeper understanding of the behind-the-scenes operations at CKUT, including how different organizations submit their music, promote artists, and collaborate with the station to spotlight smaller musicians on weekly shows. As a community radio station, CKUT often receives CDs and music from local artists hoping for airplay. I worked with other volunteers to select music that aligns with the station鈥檚 mandate, learning how this mission dictates which artists are spotlighted for listeners. Additionally, I gained technical skills related to radio production. Additionally, under the guidance of Jack, the Spoken Word Coordinator, I learned how programmers upload, record, and air their shows, as well as how the program archive on the website is maintained and updated.
One of the biggest challenges I faced as the music librarian was outreach. Due to the summer season, it was difficult to attract a large audience for the listening parties, which affected the overall enthusiasm. However, I took the initiative to invite my friends each week, which helped increase participation and made the experience more enjoyable for everyone. Another challenge was the self-directed nature of my work. With Alex often occupied with other duties, I frequently had to work independently, identifying tasks and finding ways to assist the staff. This experience, however, helped me become more driven, organized, and efficient in my position.
My time at CKUT has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I plan to continue volunteering and staying involved with the station as long as I live in Montreal. This internship has reinforced my love for creativity and community involvement and has motivated me to pursue further opportunities with creative organizations. Spending so much time in the music library and working closely with programmers has deepened my connection to Montreal鈥檚 creative community, making it an integral part of my life.聽
I am extremely grateful to everyone I worked with at CKUT; their passion for their work has been truly inspirational. Without the grant I received, I would not have been able to dedicate so much time to the station. As a self-sufficient student, the summer is a crucial time for me to save money for the upcoming academic year. Working at CKUT allowed me to reduce my hours at my usual job, something that would not have been possible without the support of the Arts Internship Fund. I am thankful for this opportunity, as it has made me appreciate Montreal and its creative community even more.
