PRX, the award-winning public media company behind This American Life, have announced today the grand opening of the Podcast Garage, the first community audio and media arts training facility in Boston, USA. The PRX Podcast Garage will serve as a recording space and educational centre, dedicated to the craft of audio storytelling.
At the Garage, emerging and experienced podcasters will have access to low-cost recording studios, free co-working space and educational and networking events. The sound-isolated studios include high-end recording and sound equipment from companies such as Shure, Sonos and Sennheiser, plus hardware to record phone interviews. Audio editing tools like Hindenburg and Pro Tools will also be provided. The space includes a larger studio that can record up to four people, plus a smaller sound booth for vocal tracking. Producers are welcome to bring an engineer or self-operate the control room.
"As a global leader committed to growing audio content, talent and technology, we're thrilled to bring our mission to life in a physical studio that serves our very own community," said Kerri Hoffman, CEO of PRX. "The Podcast Garage will be our skunkworks -- a laboratory where diverse voices can hone their stories and talent."
In the community space of the Garage, PRX will program events within three main tracks: media arts training, networking, and community storytelling. It will offer a calendar of diverse events including:
- Audio production and narrative skill-building workshops
- Podcast training sessions and mentoring opportunities led by veteran radio producers
- Free networking events focused on technology, distribution, and marketing led by industry thought-leaders
- Listening events
The Podcast Garage will also work to develop partnerships with the Allston-Brighton neighborhood to collaborate on community-focused storytelling projects and workshops.
By tapping into expertise from PRX's partners like Transom, Center for Documentary Studies, Center for Investigative Reporting, Radiotopia, AIR, Women Audio Makers, WBUR, WGBH, and the Harvard community, Boston's independent podcaster community can learn new skills, get feedback on their work in a safe space, and use professional-quality technology to create their own audio content.
"As an independent producer, I know you can't make great work by yourself," said Megan Tan, host of Radiotopia's Millennial podcast. "You need a village. You need honest feedback and people who will guide you as you stumble through the creative process. I've collaborated with people remotely, but the dream is always to be together in one place, so you're not alone during the frustrating moments or the victory dances. The Podcast Garage is going to be that place. I'll definitely be making use of the space."
The Podcast Garage is now open for public use, Monday-Thursday from 12-8 pm, and Friday from 12-5 pm. PRX is accepting reservations for studio time and ideas for public programming. Visit podcastgarage.org for a calendar of events, pricing information and more.
