Broadband Project Grows with Verizon Grant

Revolving Museum Expands Access and Programs

Gathered for the “big check” presentation are, from left, Kit Harbison, Revolving Museum (RM) development director; student Bernard Long; Joe MacFadzen, RM art technician; Prof. Robert Forrant, RM board chair; Diana Coluntino, RM artistic director; students Alex Drouin and Brittney Swindel; Stanley J. Usovicz, Verizon regional director for external affairs; student Christine Nousaath and Adam Norton, RM artist educator.

Gathered for the “big check” presentation are, from left, Kit Harbison, Revolving Museum (RM) development director; student Bernard Long; Joe MacFadzen, RM art technician; Prof. Robert Forrant, RM board chair; Diana Coluntino, RM artistic director; students Alex Drouin and Brittney Swindel; Stanley J. Usovicz, Verizon regional director for external affairs; student Christine Nousaath and Adam Norton, RM artist educator.

10/03/2011
By Sandra Seitz

A UMass Lowell partnership grant to expand access to high-speed Internet access for underserved populations got some help recently. The Verizon Foundation has awarded $10,000 to the Revolving Museum, one of the project’s community partners, to upgrade its computer technology, increase its broadband capacity and support its growing programs for Lowell young people. 

Initially funded for three years by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the research and outreach – Lowell Internet, Networking and Knowledge (LINK): Sustaining Broadband Access Across the Generations – is directed by Economics Prof. Carol McDonough and co-directed by History Prof. Robert Forrant. The UMass Lowell Center for Family, Work and Community provides technical and training support. 

In partnership with community agencies, UMass Lowell is completing the second year of expanding broadband usage within the Merrimack Valley. The overarching objective is to reduce the digital divide by increasing public capacity and access for those who would not otherwise use high-speed Internet. Along with the Revolving Museum, community partners include the Boys & Girls Club, the United Teen Equality Center and the Lowell Housing Authority.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K - 12 education through its free educational website, Thinkfinity.org.

The Revolving Museum builds community by using the power of art to inspire creative expression and social change. Among its programs is Artbotics, an ongoing partnership with the UMass Lowell Computer Science and Art departments for students to design, produce and display kinetic sculptures with which viewers can interact.