University Community Video Media Documentary

University Community Video Documentary
When portable video cameras began putting television production into the hands of ordinary people in the 1970s, a group of Minnesota students and artists saw an opportunity: communities could tell their own stories instead of waiting for someone else to tell them.

University Community Video (UCV), founded in 1972, helped people learn to use video, provided access to equipment, and encouraged independent production. Its groundbreaking Changing Channels series brought community-produced stories, arts, and public affairs programs to KTCA public television broadcast audiences from 1974 to 1978. UCV's influence continued in the 1980s through training, exhibitions, and creative programming as the organization evolved in the 1990s into Intermedia Arts Minnesota (IAM).

"The Revolution Was Televised"
We want to tell this story through a documentary about the people who opened television to new voices, and the lasting influence of their work. Many of those pioneers are now in their seventies or older. Recording their memories while we still can is an important part of preserving Minnesota's media history.

University Community Video/Intermedia Arts
 "Changing Channels Series" Collection (1974-1978).

What We've Accomplished 
With approximately $30,000 in Minnesota Historical Society grant *support across two development phases, Minnesota Media Arts (MNMA) has established the documentary's research and creative foundation. Our initial work included more than 30 informational interviews, conducted largely via Zoom, with founders, staff members, trainers, producers, and community participants. 

We also researched archival materials, prepared an initial creative concept and content outline, and invited an independent peer-review panel to help sharpen the story and recommend next steps.

The current development phase builds on that work. It includes planning professional-quality, on-camera interviews with key participants; additional script and story development; research into accessing the Changing Channels footage; exploring the Intermedia Arts Minnesota (IAM) media archives; and early design work for the tools needed to present the documentary to future funders and production partners.

*This project has been financed in part with funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

Why Your Support Matters
Our new $50,000 GiveMN goal will help us go beyond the specific work covered by the Minnesota Historical Society grants. Additional donations can support more interviews, including participants in Chicago and on the East Coast; developing a compelling pitch deck and short sample video (often called a sizzle reel); and planning an interactive website where selected stories and clips might be shared as the project moves forward.

The documentary is still in development. These contributions will strengthen the story, preserve more first-person accounts, and create materials to raise the much larger funds needed for full production. This $50,000 GiveMN goal is not a promise that the completed film can be made for that amount. 

Join Us In Telling The Story
UCV challenged the idea that television should belong only to broadcasters. Its founders and participants helped make space for artists, neighbors, and communities to speak for themselves.   Their story and Intermedia Arts legacy deserve to be remembered.

Please consider donating to the University Community Video Documentary. Your support helps us keep the voices, images, and ideas of Minnesota's community media pioneers alive for future generations. Donate now on our GiveMN campaign or contact Minnesota Media Arts regarding direct donations by check or EFT.

Learn more about our documentary project, and tell us about your UCV Experience; 
Please visit our MN Media Arts UCV project webpage

In 1979, Craig Sinard produced an insightful documentary about UCV and the Changing Channels broadcast series; we hope to utilize some of his footage in our new project. Watch online:
Video Access in the Twin Cities - A Study of UCV