MISSION
Arkansas PBS, Arkansas’ only statewide public media network, enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people of all ages and all walks of life. For 55 years, Arkansas PBS has played a vital role in educating, informing, engaging and inspiring audiences in every corner of our state.
Arkansas PBS values excellence, innovation and collaboration – delivering compelling local productions alongside classic, trusted PBS programs.
Arkansas PBS is an investment in the education, culture and future of Arkansas. Its children’s programming serves as Arkansas’ preschool to those who cannot afford quality preschool. Arkansas PBS serves as the backbone of the statewide emergency alert system and, as Arkansas’ storyteller, brings to light the people and experiences that make Arkansas a remarkable place to live.
Arkansas PBS reaches Arkansans through live streaming, on-demand services and YouTube, and the distinct television channels Arkansas PBS, Arkansas PBS Create, Arkansas PBS KIDS, Arkansas PBS WORLD and Arkansas PBS AIRS (Arkansas Information Reading Services for the Blind).
Arkansas PBS is in the midst of a five-transmitter signal expansion to increase its television broadcast coverage from 76% of the state to 99.5% by mid-2022, enabling the network to serve even more individuals and families across Arkansas.
FUNDRAISERS AND EVENTS
• Arkansas PBS programs four on-air pledge drives per year.
• In-person events include Family Days, participation in Toad Suck Daze, screenings of program premieres and assorted family literacy, community education and outreach activities across the state.
• Virtual activities include YouTube Live events and exclusive member events providing behind-the-scenes experiences of upcoming PBS programs.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
• Over 25,000 individual members/viewers of Arkansas PBS provide the largest private source of contributed revenue.
• Businesses and organizations benefit from the underwriting recognition they receive as sponsors of Arkansas PBS programs.
• Individual, business and foundation support helps Arkansas PBS to create local, original productions and provide national programs to viewers.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
• Arkansas PBS offers a variety of volunteer opportunities from answering phones during pledge drives to administrative and event support staff. For more information, visit myarkansaspbsfoundation.org/volunteer.
• Internships are also available for college students and early career professionals. For more information, contact internships@myarkansaspbs.org.
OUR IMPACT
1.
Arkansas PBS is Arkansas’ largest classroom, offering 40 hours per week of children’s programming on its main channel and 24/7 children’s programming on its PBS KIDS channel.
2.
Each year, 70,000 educators receive free, online professional development from Arkansas PBS.
3.
Arkansas PBS received 12 national awards in 2020, including three regional Emmy Awards and nine national Public Media Awards.
4.
Arkansas PBS’s Passport streaming service offers 400-plus hours of local video on demand and 1,500-plus episodes of popular PBS shows.
5.
AR-CAN (Arkansas Citizens Access Network) livestreams state government events and meetings and serves as an important educational tool, allowing students to see their government at work.
6.
For 18 years, PBS has been ranked No.1 in public trust for news and public affairs. (M&RR survey Jan. 2021)
FUNDING SOURCES
Grants/Foundations: 45%
State Government: 27%
Individuals/Memberships: 15%
Other: 12%
Corporate/Program Underwriting: 1%
350 S. Donaghey Ave.
Conway, AR 72034
501.682.2386 | myarkansaspbs.org
Established: 1966
Employees: 99
Service Area: Public Media
Arkansas PBS CEO: Courtney Pledger
Arkansas PBS Foundation CEO:Marge Betley
FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jonathan Rhodes, Chair
Ronnie Williams, Interim Vice Chair
Gayle Corley, Secretary/Treasurer
Annette Herrington, Commission Representative
Catherine Bays
Cherisse Jones-Branch
Philip Kaplan
Toni Lindsey
Peggy Matson
Ed McClure
Scott Pace
Courtney Pledger
S. Lynne Rich
Larry W. Ross
NETWORK COMMISSION
John Brown, Chair
West Doss, Vice Chair
Anne Canada
Ann Clemmer
Woody Freeman
Annette Herrington
Skip Holland
Cynthia Nance
