Somerville Media Center to Present Public Service Award to Former Mayor of Somerville Joe Curtatone

Please join Somerville Media Center in honoring former Mayor Joe Curtatone with our Public Service Award on Thursday, June 4, 2026, from 7–9 PM at Arts at the Armory, 119 Highland Ave, in Somerville. The celebratory evening will feature cheeses and specialty bites provided by Formaggio Kitchen and more, tasty drinks from Arts at the Armory, live music by Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, raffles, and a special presentation honoring Joe Curtatone’s long standing advocacy for community media and Somerville Media Center. Proceeds from the event will directly support our programs and services.

About our Honoree

Throughout his 18 years as mayor of Somerville, Joe Curtatone was a steadfast champion of local media and community storytelling. He supported each renewal of SMC’s grant agreement with the City of Somerville and frequently appeared on programs produced at SMC and Somerville’s CityTV. In 2007 and 2011, Curtatone testified before the Massachusetts Committee of Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy to oppose proposed rule changes that would have weakened local control of cable systems and diminished support for community and government access television.  Speaking as Chair of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Curtatone said, “As the home of the Commonwealth’s first independent non-profit, community access television corporation… Somerville finds this completely unacceptable.”

Joe Curtatone continues his support for the community media movement as guest and speaker at national and regional Alliance for Community Media conferences and star of numerous Community Media Day campaigns.  He has always demonstrated that community media is essential infrastructure for civic engagement and his leadership helped protect and strengthen the resources that allow Somerville residents to share their stories and participate meaningfully in local democracy.

About Somerville Media Center

Somerville Media Center is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing local residents — from youth through adulthood — to create impactful digital content and make a difference in their community. Participants in SMC programs build technical and creative skills, develop professional competencies, produce meaningful works, and foster vital community connections. SMC, as the first community media organization in Massachusetts makes special efforts to serve individuals historically excluded from mass media, ensuring that the stories reflecting the realities of Somerville’s diverse communities are heard and seen.

Tickets are available online: https://tinyurl.com/joecurtatone

Please contact Sean Effel, Executive Director, 857-997-0061 or sean@somervillemedia.org with questions.

Warm regards,
Nicholas Andersen
Chair, Fundraising Committee
Sean Effel
Executive Director
Joseph P Lynch
President, Board of Directors