Josh Hardy has long found value in hands-on experiences.
He has spent years covering municipal meetings in Concord and being a familiar face behind the camera at community events ranging from Market Days and First Fridays to career fairs and award ceremonies.
Especially when it comes to local media, he sees the power of learning to communicate in a digital environment, of telling stories and connecting with community members, of harnessing the tools of the shifting media landscape to make information accessible.
Now, he’ll be stepping away from his role as executive director at Concord TV and using these experiences to build a Digital Media and Production program at Concord Regional Technical Center. His new endeavor will build on his time teaching video classes, leading youth camps and crafting a training curriculum.
“They’re going to be video and film and audio video professionals gaining skills through hands-on learning, through practical experiences, job-based learning, which to me, it’s not your traditional classroom environment, and I absolutely love that,” he said of his future students.
From filming videos and conducting interviews to editing clips, creating podcasts and more, CRTC students in the new program will build confidence in a wide array of areas, Hardy said.
“We’re hoping to be able to utilize Concord TV studio for some of that hands-on video environment learning and kind of stepping up the partnership between Concord TV and CRTC, so I’m excited for that, too,” said Hardy, who has been at Concord TV for 14 years and has spent the past seven in his current leadership role.
Michael O’Meara will succeed Hardy. Since 2017, he has been on the staff of Concord TV, which operates as a nonprofit public access station.
“He brings an incredible measure of skill, ability, knowledge — and the ability to work with people, leading us into the future, particularly with changes in technology coming along. He’s outstanding,” said Steve Ambra, chair of Concord TV’s Board of Directors.
The new media program comes after longtime teacher Clint Klose’s retirement in the spring. Klose taught a Theatre & Film program at CRTC.
Program Coordinator Kate Amrol said that since Klose was so integral to the theatre and film curriculum, the technical center decided to move in a slightly different direction. The new digital media program carries over many of the film elements, while broadening the scope.
“We’re really excited to see how Josh builds this program,” she said. “We really put a lot of control in the hands of the teacher of the program because it’s going to be defined by what they bring to the table, and we can’t wait to see what that looks like,” Amrol said.
She’s also thrilled that students will be able to use the Concord TV studio “almost like a built-in lab space,” especially since it’s situated in the same building. She said she appreciates how “community-oriented” both Hardy and Concord TV are.
“I think that’s something really important for our students to learn while they’re in our space is the impact their work can have on the community,” she said.
CRTC is also launching a welding program this fall.
For Hardy, the transition away from his longtime organization is “bittersweet.” He asked that the community be patient with Concord TV during a time of transition and said he still plans to help out when needed. He also hopes people will continue to consider the role the organization plays in the community.
“Just the idea of public access media and community media is critical, and that’s the mindset I am carrying over to CRTC,” he said.
