Civic media should be evaluated on its impact beyond the University. But the structure and incentive system of universities does not typically allow for such an agenda. There is need to develop alternative structures beyond the standard silos generated by university departments to enable the building of relationships with community partners, sustainability of projects and sharing of knowledge outside the standard vehicles of academic journals. The consortium aims to provide an active network of academic partners in the Boston area to engage with public and private sector organizations who are using and inventing media in their work.