As its newest avenue to sustain “creativity in community,” Centrum is launching a five-show podcast series concentrating on art and the artistic process through the lenses of music, writing, visual arts, and general conversations. 

The majority of its shows will be pre-recorded and available for streaming or subscription, but some will occur as live-streaming events and only later rereleased as podcasts on its online channels.

“Artists In Place,” Centrum’s podcast network, launched Aug. 12 and consists of five unique podcast channels hosted and produced by a team that includes executive director Robert Birman, Centrum’s program managers, and other staff.  

The podcasts are produced in, and broadcast from, Fort Worden State Park, Centrum’s longtime home. 

Listeners can access the podcasts on any of the platforms they currently use to listen to podcasts or digital music, such as iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, and Stitcher. 

“Like all of us, artists near and far are navigating a new landscape, and we want to hear from them, learn from them, and support their work,” said Centrum spokesman Joe Gillard. 

“We believe getting insight into what’s driving creative people and how they intend to shape their inner world, and our outer world can have a significant and edifying effect on listeners, many of whom will be artists themselves.” 

Though the project began prior to the pandemic, the streaming audio series aligns with Centrum’s mission to continue programming in safe, digital formats during the pandemic. 

The new channels will feature a variety of content. 

“On A.I.R.,” is hosted by Michelle Hagewood, program manager for artist residencies, and features conversations about the intersections of process, place, and the personal and the ways our creative practices can affect change through art. 

“Crackin’ the Vault: From the Centrum Archives” is hosted by longtime Centrum program manager Peter McCracken, and is a rebroadcast of his weekly KPTZ show of the same name which airs Fridays at 4 p.m. The show features musical “nuggets” from the last five decades of Centrum programming. 

“Communiversity,” hosted by Birman, is a rebroadcast of Centrum’s new arts and lectures series in association with Crosscut and KCTS public media. The series aims to offer thought-provoking conversations highlighting a wide range of topics affecting our world. Each episode will feature experts in dialog with journalists and reporters. 

“From the Port Townsend Writers Conference” is hosted by Writers Program manager George Marie, and will launch with archival readings and lectures from the historic Port Townsend Writers Conference, featuring many of the world’s most celebrated writers, and later includes contemporary interviews and discussions. 

“Jazz Voicings” will be hosted by Jazz Festival artistic director John Clayton and program manager Gregg Miller, featuring leading voices in the international jazz community, and conversations about the history, tradition, and life of touring jazz performers. The show will occur as a free live-streaming event which will later be archived in the podcast channel.