The Association of Independents in Radio, Inc. is pleased to announce the New Voices $20,000 scholarship fund to support minority producers - both independent and station-based - interested in attending Third Coast International Audio Festival's 2010 conference in Chicago, IL October 28-30. Funding for this program comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

The Third Coast Conference attracts a broad, international group of bright, inventive producers. AIR will kick off the conference with a producers’ meeting convened on Thursday, October 28, 3-4:30 pm. AIR members, as well as those wanting to learn more about AIR, are encouraged to attend.

The goal of the New Voices scholarship is to help broaden the pipeline for a new generation of diverse media talent and to provide support for bright program makers. Applicants will be asked to submit a brief statement outlining ideas for how the public radio system can provide more channels of opportunity for new talent trying to find a way into public media. A panel will be convened to review applications, and final decisions will be announced by September 21st. Those who have never attended a Third Coast Conference are particularly encouraged to apply.

Individual scholarships of up to $1500 per person will be awarded and must be used to offset costs associated with Third Coast transportation, meals, hotel, and registration. The registration cost for Third Coast is $395, or $345 if submitted by the early bird deadline of September 15, 2010.

To apply for a New Voices scholarship, please complete an on-line application:
http://airmedia.org/PageInfo.php?PageID=601

+++Applications must be received by 5:00 pm Pacific Time Wednesday, September 16, 2010.+++

If you have any questions about AIR’s New Voices scholarship, please review our FAQ ( http://www.airmedia.org/PageInfo.php?PageID=602 ) or contact Erin Mishkin at erin@airmedia.org.