Access Art x RCMA Residency

Join teaching artist and guerilla archivist Kendell Harbin and discover her work with The Roaming Center for Magnetic Alternatives. Since 2016, Harbin has been working to recover images of LGBTQ+ life in the Midwest between 1977 and 2006 from old or forgotten home videos. Witness this unusual preservation process of "live-digitizing" videotapes, plus explore a throw-back VHS collection of more than 1,000 theatrical releases.

Digitizing Kansas City’s LGBTQ History

Do you have vhs tapes that need preserving?
Are there moments in your community history on tape you can no longer access?
In an effort to preserve the content marooned on this fragile format, RCMA offers a free analog to digital conversion service. From political demonstrations and parades, to DIY documentaries and home movies, we are here to help you save those long-forgotten tapes before it is too late!

Schedule a 90-minute appointment at this MCPL branch or one of the many other locations we are touring and bring your video tapes in for free digitization.

How to Participate

1. Complete this online eligibility questionnaire/appointment booking form

   OR

   Arrange an appointment at a convenient MCPL branch location over the phone by calling Kendell at (816) 785-5131

2. After receiving a confirmation notice, bring your tape(s) and any person(s) with knowledge about the footage to your scheduled appointment.

3. Provide live audio commentary and background information about who/what/where the video is about during the transfer process.

4. Receive a FREE digital copy of your video and identify the future resting place for your original video tape cassette.