New PBS site hopes to "spark a resurgence" of the arts

The long-awaited PBS Arts website is now online. Its aim, its says, is "to spark a resurgence of the arts in the United States." Sections include dance, theater, visual art, film and music. There's also a link to a flickr stream for artists to contribute. Funding for the site comes from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Anne Ray Charitable Trust, named for "Silent Philanthropist" Margaret Cargill's mother (Current, April 5, 2010).

A note for Current feed readers

For our RSS readers, don't miss this Current exclusive: "WPBT sells Nightly Business Report to entrepreneur with history of legal disputes."

PBS should bypass stations and go straight to cable or satellite, writer says

"Most public television stations will merge or go broke in the next five years ... and PBS in its current configuration can't be far behind," predicts Jack Shakely, president emeritus of the California Community Foundation, in the Aug. 22 Los Angeles Times. And why is pubTV "awash in red ink" while networks including the History Channel, A&E, National Geographic and Animal Planet make money? "PBS should market itself as a network to cable and satellite providers rather than having each individual affiliated station across the country offer itself for free," Shakely says.

PBS scores seven Creative Arts Emmys

Masterpiece's "Cranford" and Ken Burns' National Parks documentary won two Emmys each at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards over the weekend (Aug. 21). PBS took seven statuettes in all. "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" won for nonfiction series and writing for nonfiction programming. Exceptional merit in nonfiction filmmaking went to "Nerakhoon (The Betrayal)," on P.O.V., about the members of a Laotian family forced to leave their homeland due to the secret war waged there by America. Directing for nonfiction programming went to Barak Goodman for "My Lai" on American Experience. The majority of the 70-category Creative Arts Emmy Awards, are dedicated to technical disciplines and direction, cinematography, hairstyling, makeup, music, picture editing, sound editing and mixing, special visual effects, stunts and more. A full list of winners is here (PDF).

Pogo a go-go

Now here (boing) is a great way (boing) to start off your week (boing). Check out KUER's (boing) coverage of Pogopalooza 7 (boing) last weekend in Salt (boing) Lake City. "Extreme pogosticking" -- who knew?

Iowa's KBBG sets $200,000 goal for endowment

KBBG, the largest African-American owned and operated noncom radio station in Iowa, has set a goal of $200,000 to establish an endowment, reports the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. The station hopes to reach that figure within three years. "Given what we're facing-- whether it's the economic turndown, or even closer to home with the surge in crime and incidents and invasions -- the station is probably more important to the community it serves at this point in history than perhaps at any other time," said KBBG President Louise Porter. "And the best way to secure the future of the radio station is to establish an endowment fund." This past weekend (Aug. 21) was the station's 33rd annual "Radio-Thon and Parade" in Waterloo.