An Update from the Executive Director, Urban Media Arts

Dear UMA Members and Community Partners,

I want to take a moment to share an important update regarding Urban Media Arts (UMA), the financial realities we are facing, and the steps we are taking to ensure our sustainability while honoring our mission and the people who make our work possible.

As many of you are aware, PEG (Public, Educational, and Government) access funding—UMA’s primary source of operating revenue—has been steadily declining due to the sharp drop in cable subscriptions. In the past year alone, we experienced an $88,000 decrease in cable franchise funding, despite the City of Malden negotiating the maximum allowable 5% fee and passing all of it on to UMA. In response to this and broader economic pressures, UMA has strategically reduced the organization’s operating budget by $100,000 over the past two years to sustain operations and manage rising costs.

While UMA has been very successful in acquiring capital grants for facility improvements and equipment upgrades—and we plan to continue pursuing and expanding those opportunities—it is important to note that capital funds cannot be used to cover personnel expenses or daily operational costs. Operating grants are rare and highly competitive, and the organization continues to face significant challenges in funding the core expenses that support staffing and program delivery.

Through increased grant writing, community fundraising, membership contributions, and paid production services, UMA has grown non-cable revenue to $66,000—up from $23,000 in 2022. These gains are meaningful and reflect the hard work of our dedicated team, but they have not been sufficient to offset the steep decline in cable funding. With personnel costs comprising 85% of our budget, we were faced with a very difficult decision. After exploring all options, UMA implemented a necessary reduction in force. This included the departure of several long-serving and valued staff members.

We are committed to treating our team with dignity and respect, and as such, we provided advance notice and severance packages to help ease their transition.

Despite these challenges, UMA remains dedicated to keeping its current hours of operation and cable related services intact. We are committed to continuing our vital work in the community with little interruption.

Looking ahead, UMA is focused on long-term sustainability.

The Massachusetts General Court is reviewing two important bills, House Bill H.91 and Senate Bill S.41, that aim to modernize and expand funding for community media centers like UMA. H.91, which has passed both the House and Senate, is now pending before the Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet & Cybersecurity. S.41 proposes a new statewide fee on streaming services and the creation of a Streaming Entertainment Fund to support PEG (Public, Educational, and Government) access centers.

These bills have broad bipartisan support and, if passed, could help restore essential operating funds, reduce reliance on cable fees, and establish a more sustainable funding model for organizations like UMA.

UMA is actively monitoring the progress of these bills and is prepared to engage in advocacy efforts alongside community media partners and policymakers. At the same time, we continue to strengthen our internal strategies by diversifying revenue streams, expanding workforce development programs, and leveraging our facilities for rentals and community use. These efforts aim to create more stable, mission-aligned income streams that support our operations and deepen our community’s impact.

Community support is vital to UMA’s sustainability and continued service. There are many ways you can make a meaningful impact; make a one-time donation, become a UMA member, or become a monthly sustainer for as little as $5/month.

Businesses and individuals can also support our mission through sponsorships or underwriting programs, helping to fund local programming and events. Additionally, volunteering your time or expertise is a powerful way to contribute. Every act of support helps keep UMA’s programs accessible, creative, and community driven.

We are grateful for the ongoing support of our members, partners, and neighbors. Your involvement helps sustain UMA’s mission to connect community, promote civic engagement, and nurture arts and culture in Malden and beyond.

With gratitude,
Tina LeGarde
Executive Director
Urban Media Arts