1997 - Chicago Architecture Biennial, Smart Museum, Hyde Park Art Center (HPAC)
The use of radio as a tool for self-expression and community connection is a longstanding tool of the Stockyard Institute. 1997's inaugural radio project
LOCO COOL paved the way for a myriad of radio projects. Jim Duignan employs the use of a low-watt transmitter, strategically circumventing federal regulations, allowing for more localized and personal broadcasts that are specific to local communities. This is critical for maintaining discretion and anonymity in neighborhoods containing rival gang territories. Student participants may share their perspectives and experiences without exposing themselves to potential harm or retribution.
Radio became a pivotal tool for Duignan's work, allowing never-before-heard voices to be shared widely, thus empowering historically marginalized children. Projects such as 2009's
Cafeteria Sessions served to impart new skills to student participants, allowing them to showcase their talents in poetry, rap, and spoken word while focusing on a mission of social justice.
