Arkansas PBS wins five Mid-America Emmy Awards

Oct. 3, 2023

Arkansas PBS wins five Mid-America Emmy Awards

CONWAY, Ark. (Arkansas PBS) — Arkansas PBS won five regional Emmy Awards from the Mid-America Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) for original, local productions. Award winning productions may be viewed at myarpbs.org/awardwinning.

"At Arkansas PBS, we continue to expand our role as Arkansas’s storyteller, taking great pride in being acknowledged this year with five prestigious regional Emmy Awards," CEO Courtney Pledger said. "Our outstanding Arkansas PBS team consistently strives for excellence.

“I send my deepest congratulations to them and to our invaluable community collaborators!"

Arkansas PBS won the following Mid-America Regional Emmy Awards:

• “One and Only Canaan Sandy” – Sports Story – Short Form Content. Produced by Eric White and Corey Womack. ESPN Fan Hall of Famer Canaan Sandy has never let his Down Syndrome slow him down as he and his mother have spent the last 40 years cheering on the Arkansas Razorbacks.
• “Blueberry’s Clubhouse: Campfire Tales” – Director – Short or Long Form Content. Directed by Corey Womack. This original pre-K-2 children's program features Blueberry, a curious puppet guide, and her friends at Camp Onomatopoeia participating in fun, engaging and insightful summer activities across The Natural State. The series is produced in partnership with the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
• “Dirt” – Audio – Live or Post-Production. Audio by Tracy Prince. This original Arkansas PBS documentary addresses soil conservation and delves into how Arkansas farmers are improving their operations by helping the environment. Major funding for “Dirt” was provided by the Pulaski County Conservation District and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Arkansas.
• “Songs Away With Mr. Steve, The Music Man” – Musical Composition/Arrangement. Composed by Steve Lee. This song was produced as part of “Rise and Shine,” an extensive educational program designed to boost summer learning and help K-5 students retain academic learning targets.
• “Be Pro, Be Proud: Tyson” – Business/Consumer – Short Form Content. Produced by Cody Scott. Produced in partnership with the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce's "Be Pro, Be Proud" program, this segment looks at the skills it takes to pay the bills as a maintenance technician with the team at Tyson Foods in Springdale, Arkansas.

Arkansas PBS received a number of other nominations, including:

• “Sportraits” – Sports Story – Short Form Content. Produced by Terrell Case.
• “Sportraits” – Editor – Short Form or Long Form Content. Edited by Terrell Case.
• “Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame” – Historical/Cultural – Short Form Content. Produced by Paulina Sobczak.
• “Dirt” – Documentary – Cultural. Produced by Jennifer Gibson.
• “Blueberry’s Clubhouse: Campfire Tales” – Arts/Entertainment – Long Form Content. Produced by Terrell Case, Eric White, Corey Womack and Rivka Kuperman.
• “Blueberry’s Clubhouse: Snawfuss Animation” – Graphic Arts – Motion Graphics and Visual Effects. Graphics by Greg Mobley.
• “Let’s Take a Vacation” – Entertainment – Short Form Content. Produced by Levi Agee.
• “Let’s Take a Vacation” – Director – Short or Long Form Content. Directed by Levi Agee.
• “Songs Away” – Director – Short or Long Form Content. Directed by Eric White.
• “Songs Away” – Editor – Short or Long Form Content. Edited by Eric White.
• “Songs Away” – Graphic Arts – Motion Graphics and Visual Effects. Graphics by Eric White.
• “Yo-Yo Ma & Carrie Mae Weems at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art” – Special Event Coverage – Live. Produced by Anita Grote.
• “Dolly Parton Interview” – Interview/Discussion – Short Form or Long Form Content. Produced by Sajni Kumpuris.

All nominated productions may be viewed in playlist at myarpbs.org/awardnominated. The complete list of nominees and winners may be viewed here.

About NATAS Mid-America chapter

The NATAS Mid-America chapter was chartered in 1962 and began honoring outstanding achievement in this region with local Emmy Awards in 1976. The Mid-America chapter includes the television markets primarily in Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois and surrounding DMAs: St. Louis, Kansas City, Little Rock, Springfield (MO), St. Joseph, Columbia-Jefferson City, Joplin-Pittsburg, Quincy-Hannibal-Keokuk, Ottumwa-Kirksville, Davenport-Rock Island-Moline, Paducah-Cape Girardeau-Harrisburg, Champaign-Springfield-Decatur, Fort Smith-Fayettville-Springdale-Rogers, Jonesboro, Monroe-Eldorado and Shreveport (LA). NATAS Mid-America is one of 19 regional chapters of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, headquartered in New York City.

About Arkansas PBS

Arkansas PBS, Arkansas’s only statewide public media network, empowers learners of all ages by educating, informing, entertaining and inspiring communities. Arkansas PBS serves as a daily and essential resource for Arkansans by creating, sharing, celebrating and driving conversation around Arkansas stories and classic, trusted PBS programs through multiple digital platforms, including livestreaming at myarpbs.org/watch, on-demand services and YouTube TV, and the distinct channels Arkansas PBS, Arkansas PBS Create, Arkansas PBS KIDS, Arkansas PBS WORLD and Arkansas PBS AIRS on SAP. Members with Arkansas PBS Passport have extended on-demand access to a rich library of public television programming. Arkansas PBS depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at myarkansaspbs.org. Arkansas PBS is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), KETZ (El Dorado), KETS (Russellville), KETS (Forrest City), KETS (Gaither) and KETS (Yancy).

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