Chronology Pamela Susan Hawkins and Sherry Miller Hocking, 1998-1999

1974
Founded by Michael Rothbard, Director, and Kathy Bodily

1976
A 1976 Inter-Media Art Brochure (IMAC) describes itself as "A non-profit video arts and education organization operating throughout Long Island and funded in part by a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts. As an arts organization we are concerned with the production of new works as well as their presentation to the public. The IMAC staff is comprised of artists and technicians who are engaged in the exploration of new avenues of expression and application of the electronic media. Videotape provides an extremely flexible palette on which to produce, and its electronic nature allow for the potential for plugging finished works into the existing electronic communications networks for public playback. In addition to producing our own work, IMAC is interested in encouraging the work of other artists and arts organizations who are interested in extending their work through the T.V. medium. As a result, we have created two programs which are designed to stimulate the production of new works and facilitate their presentation to the public."

A 1976 IMAC brochure indicates the following programs (2)
Video Production Resource Center

• Port-a-pac Loan - ½" portable black and white video equipment to artists and arts organizations.
• Workshops - topics included production and post-production, studio production and portable equipment operation
• Post Production - ½" color editing

Production and Post Production services are available at low costs.

Media Productions and Presentation

• Videotape Programming - IMAC produces programming at their color facility for public audiences through VHF, UHF or cable telecast.
• Live Presentations - contemporary live multi-media performances organized by IMAC and presented at cultural and community spaces.

In 1977 these services were essentially unchanged, as reported by Nancy Legge.

1978
"The Inter-Media Art Center is a video access, exhibition and training facility serving Long Island"

Equipment access policy was open access, with a project orientation which included both documentary and experimental work. Portable equipment was available without charge but required a deposit; on-site use of the color production studio and post-production facility carried hourly charges. The studio and editing suite came with engineers. Equipment could be accessed by written application; prior technical experience or completion of workshops required. The color studio and editing systems incorporated signal processing and stabilizing equipment to insure that tapes were able to be cable and broadcast.

Workshops included:

• Portapak Production 1 day
• Basic Portapak Maintenance 1 day
• Comprehensive Video Course 10 weeks
• Basic ½" Editing 2 days

Fees ranged from $25 to $250, depending on length.

Exhibition Program - tape screenings and live performances and presentations produced by IMAC and scheduled at cultural centers in the region.

An undated March calendar (after 1976) of events brought Virginia Quesada, a Video D.J., to present the works of West Coast media artists; Hilary Harris to screen his films "Organism," "Generation," "Highway," "The Nuer," and "Nine Variations on a Dance Theme"; Bart Friedman and Nancy Cain, founders of the Videofreex, presented tapes on early experiments in documentary style and political programs as well as tapes of rituals in American life; and an evening entitled "A Rebirth in Childbirth" included "Giving Birth: Four Portraits" and Dean and Dudley Evenson's "Earth Birth/Sky High". It is noted that IMAC's programs were "supported in part by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Film Programs are also partially supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and by the Film Bureau at Young Filmmakers/Video Arts." (3)

1980
In a 1980 The Independent article by Fran Platt with Ann Volkes and Gerry Pallor they wrote about Inter-Media Arts Center,
"From Manhattan it's about 1 hour and $6 via Long Island Railroad (Oyster Bay station) and taxi to Bayville, a quiet North Shore town. Down the road from the traffic light is the Post office, and right nearby, an unassuming storefront connecting with a converted showroom. The surprisingly large interior space houses IMAC.

The focal point of IMAC's production and exhibition activity is a well laid-out, visually unobstructed high-ceilinged 45' x 50' studio. It is equipped with 2 color cameras that produce an electronically clean image; a 6-channel audio mixer, turntable and tape decks; adequate lighting; and in the near future, Marlay flooring for dance performances, IMAC rents the studio for $25/hour, and produces cultural programming for cable and public TV, with an emphasis on jazz and "new music". These concerts are usually open to the public, as are the screening and multi-media, graphics and photography exhibitions held in the studio. They encourage independents to submit films and tapes for possible screenings.IMAC frequently offers workshops, from one-day seminars to 10-week courses, to teach technical and production skills. Other services include 3/4" control track editing at $20/hour; 3/4" color location production, $400/day with crew; and technical consultations at $10/hour." IMAC's contacts are Michael Rothbard and Kathie Bodily. (1)

1984
"The Inter-Media Art Center offers professional television production services to the Long Island community. Those services include multi-camera studio production, ¾" editing, location shoots, workshops and consultations. The Center is also currently producing a series of TV programs highlighting the work of contemporary composers of jazz, fusion, world and new music. The series is geared for cable and public televisions".

Production and Post-Production Rentals - included engineer, production crew and creative personnel; equipment incorporated test and signal devices to allow broadcast of final products. ¾" fine cut facility, film to tape transfers and dubbing were also offered.

• Exhibitions and Screenings - Daily tape screening; 8-10 month presenting schedule for performance video programs.
• Archive and Collections - 30-40 titles, accessible to the public
• Workshops - in addition to the range of workshops offered previously, IMAC now offered several with course credit available through CW Post College.
• Artist in Residence Program - IMAC collaborated with artists on interdisciplinary projects. 2-3 artists per year invited.
• Competition - regional awards to videomakers, of up to $1500.

1. Fran Platt with Ann Volkes, Electronic Arts Intermix and Anthology Film Archives and Gerry Pallor, Young Filmmakers/Video Arts, "Upstate Report part II," The Independent, Foundation for Independent Video and Film, New York City, May 80, vol. 3, no. 4, page 20.
2. Inter-Media Art Center, brochure, Huntington, 1976 (postmark).
3. Inter-Media Arts March Calendar of Events, Huntington, [undated].
4. Videoscope, Vol. 1 No. 2, 1977
5. Beyond Video: Media Alliance Directory I, 1984
6. Nancy Legge Access Film and Video Equipment: A Directory, 1978.