About SPACE 101.1
What is this weird radio station I just discovered?
Welcome to SPACE 101.1 FM, the coolest little radio station in the galaxy! Broadcasting from Magnuson Park in Northeast Seattle and streaming worldwide from space101fm.org, we’re a people-powered station with a passion for good music and great radio that extends beyond our home base.
Our diverse programming
What sets SPACE 101.1 FM apart is our diverse programming. As a non-commercial community radio station, we offer more than 20 locally produced programs covering a wide range of genres, from surf to soul, ambient to americana, obscure indie-pop, new wave, punk, blues, world music, soundtracks, interviews, local history, and much more. When not airing fantastic locally produced programs, we present the SPACE MIX—a tailored blend of the best new music, vintage alternative rock, classic R&B, local music, and unexpected delights.
To find out more about our programs, view our Weekly Schedule or Browse Programs by title or filter by genre.
Going beyond the airwaves
We are particularly proud of several series we have started over the past several years:
- Magnuson Park Live! – is a showcase for live music in Magnuson Park. Each show is recorded in front of a studio audience and shared over the airwaves, our website, and on our YouTube channel.
- NW Orbit Artist Interviews – artist spotlight segments that air on our local music show, NW Orbit. We interview emerging Northwest musicians and accompany the interviews with music from the featured artist. Hosted by Mitch and Phoebe.
- Transmissions From SPACE – intimate live music performances, filmed without an audience. These sessions include both touring and local Northwest bands and artists.
- Exploring Magnuson Park – interviews with people and organizations that actively contribute to the vibrant life and well-being of Magnuson Park and neighboring communities.
How we got started
Not too long ago, it was almost impossible for communities in urban areas to obtain a non-commercial radio license and broadcast to local residents. But thanks to the passage of the 2010 Local Community Radio Act, a new opportunity arose. Non-profits and educational institutions could apply to create their own hyper-local radio station – FM radio stations with power not to exceed 100 watts and an average broadcast radius of roughly 3.5 miles. Sand Point Arts and Cultural Exchange (SPACE) saw this as an incredible opportunity to further promote the arts and to get new and fresh perspectives on the airwaves in Northeast Seattle. SPACE was part of a cohort of 15 non-profit organizations in the Puget Sound region to apply for a low power FM radio license during the 2013 FCC filing window.
We were fortunate enough to be granted an LP-FM license in 2013. In 2014 Julianna Ross, then the SPACE Executive Director, started planning for a low power FM station in Magnuson Park. With the help of many volunteers and supporters, Julianna secured space in the park, raised funding through donations and grants, and found talented volunteers and professionals to help get the station off the ground and on the air. We transformed a 1940’s era building that housed a sergeant at arms quarters, armory, and bank into the broadcast studios and office for SPACE 101.1 (KMGP is our actual call sign). Finally, on October 6th, 2017, we went on-air with our first broadcast and we’ve been going strong since.
Our studios and offices are in Magnuson Park in NE Seattle, but our transmitter and antennae are located atop a 5-story dormitory on the University of Washington campus. Having our antennae at that height helps our signal reach further than it normally might as an LP-FM. Our signal can be heard as far south as I-90 (downtown Seattle) and up to the north end of Lake Washington (Kenmore). It reaches from Aurora Avenue on the west to parts of Kirkland and Bellevue to the east. This is basically the NE quadrant of the city of Seattle. Find out more about the many ways you can listen to SPACE 101.1 FM on our Ways to Listen page.
Kudos and gratitude to the people who helped us get off the ground including (but not limited to): Sabrina Roach (Brown Paper Tickets), Pete Tridish (Prometheus Radio Project), Marty Hadfield (broadcast engineer), Tom Killorin and Eric Zappa (programming), Bryan Lowe (streaming assistance), Mike Fuller (one of our first DJs) etc.
Our current focus
Over the past 6 years, we have laid the foundation for and have become a respected and important part of the community. We have big plans for SPACE 101.1 FM, but our core mission is to:
- Continue to be a 24-hour, 7-day per week, radio service – broadcasting under-represented music and content to listeners in Seattle and beyond.
- Amplify local and Northwest creators and promoters of music, art, and information – through the broadcast of music, interviews, and hosting of concerts / events.
- Increase opportunities for people to learn about radio through educational programs or 1:1 instruction; be an active participant in creating radio (as a DJ, producer, tech assistant, or otherwise volunteer); and to take part in station sponsored events (concerts, community outreach, etc).
We are a service of Sand Point Arts and Cultural Exchange
The radio station is part of parent organization – Sand Point Arts and Cultural Exchange – which is where the acronym SPACE comes from. SPACE was founded as an arts non-profit in 1994. The initial focus was on preserving some of the historic buildings in the park for arts and cultural uses (including Buildings 30 and 138). Magnuson Park is the second largest city park in Seattle (350 acres) and was a former U.S. Navy support base. Aside from the radio station, SPACE also operates an art gallery in Bldg. 30 – Magnuson Park Gallery and works to promote arts generally in the park.
SPACE Mission: Sand Point Arts and Cultural Exchange (SPACE) connects and enriches our community through art, music, and culture.
Radio Station Staff and SPACE Board of Directors
Our radio station is operated almost entirely via volunteer power. Our two top navigators that keep our ship running include:
- Eric Zappa: Program Director
- Mitch Etter: Station Coordinator
SPACE 101.1 FM is a service of the non-profit organization Sand Point Arts and Cultural Exchange (SPACE). Our Board of Directors meets monthly.
- Gabrielle Gerhard, President
- Eric Zappa, Vice President
- Nina Tsai McKay, Treasurer
- Mark Patterson, Secretary
- Karina Kunins
- Ginger Nordberg
- Benjamin Warren
- Terriko Somers
Tell us what you think
Of course, we want to hear why you LOVE the station! Please tell us more… But don’t forget to also let us know where we could be doing better. Your feedback and ideas help us learn and grow, so we can reach even greater heights and far off galaxies.
If you have questions for us, or want to contact us about things other than feedback please see the other ways you can: Contact Us