2018 local content and service report to the community · klru is also an innovator in new digital...

2018 LOCAL CONTENTAND SERVICE REPORTTO THE COMMUNITY

2KLRU-TV, Austin PBS Local Content & Services Report

VISIONKLRU enriches lives and transforms communities.

KLRU is a leader in public media, distinguished

by its energetic engagement with the community

and for the quality and creativity of its content.

KLRU illuminates the wider world of knowledge,

the importance of discourse and the many

possibilities life presents us all.

MISSIONKLRU’s mission is to educate, entertain and

engage children and adults in the Greater Austin

area and beyond by providing distinctive media

experiences that matter, whether on the air,

online or on the ground, and reflecting Austin’s

uniqueness and creativity to the world.

KLRU-TV, Austin PBS is dedicated to telling stories that entertain, inspire and change our lives. KLRU highlights what makes Austin unique – whether music, arts or public issues – by creating and distributing award-winning original content. As a nonprofit educational organization, KLRU also prepares children to succeed in school and creates lifelong learning opportunities for all.


WE'RE SO HAPPY TO BE

Through all of our work, KLRU brings our neighbors together to help build a stronger,

more educated and informed community. KLRU presents high-quality content that improves learning outcomes for Central Texans of all ages

with a particular focus on serving parents, caregivers, teachers and students. Through our work in the

community, we provide access to PBS KIDS resources that enrich free time and provide simple digital

literacy practices to help guide children’s use of all media. We blend education and entertainment and

encourage families to do activities together — after turning the TV off! And most importantly, KLRU

provides a safe haven that is non-commercial and that parents can trust.

As one of the most prolific public media stations in the country, KLRU produces more than 130 hours of

original content each year. Known worldwide for our long-running music show Austin City Limits, we

also produce and nationally distribute Arts In Context, Central Texas Gardener, Overheard with Evan

Smith and more. We also work with local filmmakers to help them share and distribute their work.

KLRU is also an innovator in new digital media, providing content in forums where a need for a trusted

source exists through our Facebook-first news and public affairs project Decibel and the digital-first local

oral history series Austin Revealed.

Most of all, we bring people together to create meaningful conversations. Each year KLRU hosts more

than 100 events ranging from community discussions like ATX Together to screenings like Indie Lens

Pop Ups, and invites people to attend, reflect, discuss and be part of the conversation. We also create

compelling content on the issues that are most important to the community and provide a safe place for


online discussions. And through projects like American Graduate and Community Collaboratives for

Early Learning Media, KLRU partners with other nonprofits to engage the community about specific

topics like workforce development and early learning.

As Central Texas’ community-supported, locally-owned PBS station, KLRU is recognized as a valuable

partner and a trusted storyteller in our region. Each year we bring PBS favorites to 20+ counties through

four distinct channels and serve the community in the areas of education, news & public affairs and arts

& culture.

Presenting more than 35,000 hours of high-quality, trusted television programming annually.

Beloved PBS programs like Masterpiece, Nova and PBS Newshour are available each day on KLRU

and KLRU Q. A safe space for kids to learn and grow can be found on KLRU PBS KIDS 24/7 channel,

while the best DIY and cooking shows can be found on KLRU Create.

Central Texans have access to trusted PBS content anytime, anywhere with over 8,000 hours

of online video. klru.tv and the PBS App allow you to watch all your favorite KLRU shows for free.

KLRU Passport is a member benefit that gives members even more access to PBS content online.

And the KLRU PBS KIDS 24/7 channel is available to watch on mobile devices giving families a

commercial-free space, even on the go!

Providing a safe space for our community to reflect, discuss and be part of the conversation

about important topics impacting our lives. Each year KLRU brings people together to create

meaningful conversations through 100+ public screenings, discussions and community events.

Propelling learning outcomes by leveraging the power of media across platforms and on the

ground in our community. KLRU helps children get ready for school through trusted PBS resources

and 125 face-to-face educational workshops reaching over 6,000 local children every year.


Leading the way in inspiring the next generation of lifelong learners and leaders.

No other media organization does more to support learning than KLRU and PBS. We’re committed to

helping address our community’s critical needs in early education and advancing learning in Central

Texas. Through content and services that parents and teachers trust — and kids love — we’re leading the

way in inspiring the next generation of lifelong learners and leaders.

PBS KIDS programming is #1 in preparing kids for success in school and in life. Parents

overwhelmingly agree no other television network meets their children’s school readiness needs

like PBS KIDS. And decades of research confirms that our high-quality content moves the needle

in preparing kids for success — with children from the most underserved homes making the

greatest gains.

PBS LearningMedia offers educators instant access to the best of public media and research

based digital learning materials. KLRU and PBS have curated this free digital library with

standards-aligned videos, interactives, lesson plans and more. Search by grade level, subject,

language and media type. Best of all, it’s safe for all ages!

KLRU combines the power of national PBS educational programming with localized, on-the-

ground outreach. We take our educational tools directly to teachers, parents, caregivers and

children, providing face-to-face support where it is most needed. As an expert in learning media

that is both research-based and fun for kids, KLRU helps bridge the gap between classroom learning

and unstructured time.

Providing technology and learning resources to underserved communities in Central Texas.

KLRU brings connected devices, educational media, and digital literacy training to low-income

families. We foster a culture where educational media is seen as an entertainment choice and help

participating families understand both the benefits and limits of screen-based media.

KLRU collaborates with key community partners to promote early learning and school

readiness. Major partners include: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area, Communities In Schools,

Any Baby Can, Thinkery, the Summer Learning Collaborative and more. Through these partners,

KLRU operates at approximately 25 community sites with a variety of programs serving more than

10,300 parents and children.


“KLRU is our safe place.” — Michelle Haché

A large part of the KLRU viewing

experience for children is how it

connects back to imagination. For

Michelle Haché and her sons Soren

and Tristan, this developmental time

with KLRU is an important part of their

routine. “I have two sons that are on the

spectrum and children’s programming

in general on commercial TV is not a

sensory-friendly place for kids that are

on the spectrum.”

Caregivers rank PBS KIDS as the best

media source for school readiness, for improved behavior and for

shared family time. Michelle sees first-hand, every day, how Soren and

Tristan grow with KLRU. “When you’re a special-needs parent, you pick

up pretty quickly on the fact that a lot of programming out there is a

constant bombardment. But public television—it always has the best

interest of your family in mind.”

The positive media landscape found on PBS is integral in many young

lives. Most of us have strengthened our language, math and social skills

alongside shows like Reading Rainbow, The Magic School Bus and

Arthur. Michelle’s sons do the same, and the difference that it makes in

their day-to-day, while perhaps more profound, is very much a reflection

of the impact PBS KIDS has had on generations of Americans.

“I chose to be a sustaining member because KLRU is our safe place. Fred Rogers talked about an expression of care, and it’s something that every child needs, not just a child that’s on the spectrum. I always loved the way that he’d close his shows. He’d always say, ‘And I like you just the way you are.’”

Each month, PBS KIDS digital platforms attract an average of 11 million+ unique visitors

There are more than 12,000 registered users on KLRU’s PBS Learning Media site

KLRU has the most users of this free

resource in the state of Texas with Austin,

Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park,

Killeen and Kyle leading the way.

PBS KIDS delivers 4 billion+ streams across digital devices each year

PBS KIDS 24/7 channel is available in 90% of US TV households


Public Media Initiative to Advance Education and Career ReadinessIn 2018, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced a major grant to KLRU for the

American Graduate: Getting to Work initiative to help advance workforce education and career

readiness locally. The station has created partnerships in Central Texas to assess workforce challenges

and opportunities, and produce content focused on the essential skills needed for students and workers

to succeed in the job markets of today and tomorrow.

“The area’s workforce issues are critical, and a clear strategy has

been captured in the recent Austin Metro Area Master Community

Workforce Plan,” said KLRU CEO Bill Stotesbery. “Austin’s booming

economy presents many opportunities and challenges. KLRU

can help advance the Plan by amplifying the work of the

organizations currently in this space and by raising the visibility

of Austin’s existing resources and strategic initiatives available

to jobseekers.”

The new grant represents the next phase of public media’s successful

American Graduate initiative, which was launched in 2011 to

address the nation’s dropout rate. During the past six years, public

media stations across the country forged community connections

and innovative partnerships to help improve student outcomes,

substantially contributing to an increase in the national high school

graduation rate to an all-time high of 84 percent.

“The American Graduate initiative attracted local business and

community leader support and engagement by focusing on

keeping young people on the path to success in school and life,”

said Pat Harrison, CPB President and CEO. “All Americans want our

young people to be prepared to fill jobs that currently are unfilled

because of a skills gap.”

Now, KLRU is one of 19 stations receiving an American Graduate grant as part of the national effort to

improve the school-to-work transition and help others raise their skills for a better quality of life. Local

partners include Austin Community College, the Office of the Mayor of the City of Austin, The University

of Texas at Austin: Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources, Travis County Judge’s Office,

Workforce Solutions Capital Area and more.

“Austin’s booming economy presents many opportunities and challenges. KLRU can help advance the Plan by amplifying the work of the organizations currently in this space and by raising the visibility of Austin’s existing resources and strategic initiatives available to jobseekers.”

— Bill Stotesbery, KLRU CEO


“The Austin Metro Area Master Community Workforce Plan is a remarkable coming together of 40

agencies, institutions and enterprises seeking to offer our neighbors pathways to jobs that currently

exist, pay livable wages and that can help us keep our community affordable for working families,”

said Mayor Steve Adler. “The Plan establishes the bold goal of helping at least 10,000 people in our

community to escape poverty by preparing them for middle-skill jobs over the next five years. The

potential for KLRU to serve as a media outlet for these opportunities is absolutely critical to

achieving our community’s goals. We know KLRU is trusted, we know it’s already a part of many

families’ homes and this new use for their media gives us great hope that we will be successful.”

Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt said, “The CPB’s grant to KLRU for the American Graduate

initiative will be a key element in helping Travis County and the City of Austin implement the Workforce

Master Plan. I’m confident that KLRU-produced content focused on our workforce-readiness will

help amplify key messages of jobs aligned with skills, helping Travis County residents climb ladders

of opportunity. KLRU is a vital nonprofit institution in Central Texas, producing and distributing

content that enriches and empowers. We look forward to our ongoing partnership with KLRU and

helping our workforce succeed.”

District 2 Council Member Delia Garza said, “The City of Austin is rich in people, and culture and

community. We have some of the best, brightest and hardest working young people right here in our city.

But, we also have an increasing affordability problem pushing our families out of the city and preventing

them from reaching their full potential. Efforts like the American Graduate: Getting to Work initiative

can help address our affordability crisis by giving families and young people the tools they need to stay

rooted and thrive in our community.”

Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo, Austin City Council District 9 said, “I applaud KLRU’s continued

commitment to promoting education and career readiness. The American Graduate initiative will

help amplify our community’s ongoing efforts to ensure that Austinites of different backgrounds

and skill levels all have the ability to experience prosperity and economic opportunity.”

KLRU resources enhance summer STEM workFor the fifth consecutive summer, KLRU partnered with

agencies and institutions offering summer daycamp

experiences centered on STEM learning for low-income youth.

KLRU’s Educational Services team provided digital resources

from the klru.org/stem collection, digital devices for regular

youth use and hands-on support at the sites.

Activities ranged from having attendees of the Dell Medical

School Summer Camp for middle and high school students

view video of large animal surgery via pbslearningmedia.org

to ensuring all children at the Eastside Memorial Vertical Team

STEM Camp had everyday access to an e-book library for

nonfiction reading to support hands-on learning. In all, KLRU

worked with approximately 1,000 youth at seven sites.

This project was funded by the Central Texas Summer STEM

Investment Hub.


KLRU hosts pilot PBS EdcampsAs recent research has shed new light on the importance of early learning

for long-term educational success, the national PBS Education team is

doubling down on its efforts to reach and support early childhood teachers

and child care providers across the country, and has partnered with the

Edcamp Foundation to do so. Edcamps are “unconferences” — educators

gather for a half-day or more to form groups around mutual topics of

interest, share practices and dilemmas and chart their own pathways for

learning. Until now, this work has typically occurred in the K-12 space.

In February 2018, KLRU partnered with Child Inc., the Head Start provider

in Austin, to see if the model could work for preschool teachers and care

providers here. With an initial hope for 60-80 participants, we were sent

scrambling for more food as more than 120 attended the first session.

We followed this up with a second Edcamp at SXSWedu in March, drawing

50 participants evenly split between conference-goers curious about the

approach and local educators.

KLRU Educational Services receives $15K from United Way for Greater AustinKLRU was thrilled to receive a grant of $15,000 from United Way for Greater

Austin (UWATX) that allows KLRU Educational Services to continue playing

an on-the-ground role serving low-income families with young children in

Travis County. Several projects are benefitting from this support, including

implementation of the KLRU & UWATX-designed Play to Learn curriculum

for families and children ages 2–4.

In Play to Learn, a 10-week workshop series, adults learn to engage in fun,

age-appropriate activities that contribute to school readiness, including

smart uses of digital media. After each week’s workshop, families take home

materials and books for continuing their engagement at home. At the end

of the series, each family takes home a PBS KIDS Playtime Pad loaded with

educational apps. In addition, the funds support promotion of Bright By

Text, the free local messaging services (in English and Spanish) for parents

of kids ages 0-8 that provides tips for raising kids, building school readiness

and accessing local resources.

In Travis County, 42 percent of all children under six years of age are living

in low-income families. That’s almost 40,000 children who wake up each

morning in homes where economic insecurity can force families to choose

between paying their ever-rising rent or purchasing groceries. Outreach

like Play to Learn and Bright By Text can provide families resources and

opportunities that may be hard to acquire on their own.

The United Way for Greater Austin Community Investment Grants are made

possible by the contributions of thousands of community investors through

United Way employee giving campaigns each year. Many volunteer reviewers

also gave through their company campaign.


Local Teacher Named 2018 PBS Digital Innovator All-Star

Julie Hildebrand is a first grade

teacher at Austin’s Patton Elementary

and has been teaching for 11 years.

In addition to her general education

students, she also serves Gifted and

Talented students and English as a

Second Language students. Julie’s

primary goals have been to increase

student achievement in literacy

and technology skills in and out of

her classroom. In addition to being

a Heart of Texas Writing Project

Teacher Consultant, Julie is also a

Discovery Education Ambassador

and serves on the KLRU Education

Committee. She was selected as

one of 30 educators from across

the country for the first PBS Digital

Innovator All-Star Program. Each

of the Digital Innovator All-Stars

were selected from a group of

extraordinary educators who are

doing innovative work in their

schools and districts, and were

previously recognized as part of

the PBS Digital Innovator Program,

which began in 2013. The PBS Digital

Innovator All-Star program expands

on this influential work, deepening

these educators’ roles as leaders

in integrating technology and

digital media into the classroom —

supporting students’ learning through

increasingly important media literacy

skills. The PBS Digital Innovator All-

Stars were chosen based on a variety

of criteria, including passion for their

role as an educator, outcomes from

their time as PBS Digital Innovators,

connections to their communities and

service to under-resourced families.

“We’re thankful for the educational workshops KLRU provides in the community.” — The Stanton Family

What do science lessons

and family bonding have in

common? For Patrick, Lucinda

and Naomi Stanton, the

connection comes from their

time together at the Ruff

Ruffman Family & Community

Learning workshop.

The Stantons participated in

this four week series along

with other area families.

Designed to spark STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

interest in young children, the workshop also empowers parents like

Patrick and Lucinda to support their child’s education both at school

and home.

Patrick’s observation of his daughter’s time at the Ruff Ruffman

workshop is a testament to what a valuable experience these sessions

are for kids and parents alike.

“With the four weeks of science projects and doing things and meeting different people, Naomi learned a lot. It was awesome!”

Low-income and underserved households are often less equipped

to address learning gaps. KLRU’s collaboration with key community

partners addresses critical needs in early education by presenting

lessons through play and hands-on activities. Research-based, engaging

outreach to Central Texas families provides practical tools that these

participants can continue to utilize well beyond the workshop.

Lucinda was particularly excited about the PBS KIDS Playtime Pad

Naomi received after graduating from Ruff Ruffman. “It has a lot of

learning apps: reading, drawing, spelling. It’s helping her to get more

familiar with computers because they use them at school. And it

actually helped me out too.” For some families, this is the first device

they’ve brought home. This access lets kids hone technology skills and

engage in creative, thoughtful play.

The Stantons gained the confidence at our Family & Community Learning

workshop to tackle hands-on engineering projects together. KLRU’s

Ready To Learn work promotes early learning and school readiness

while striving to build a more informed and connected Central Texas.


In 2018 KLRU created and distributed original productions such as Arts In Context, ATX Together,

Austin City Limits, Austin Revealed, Central Texas Gardener, Considering Matthew Shepard,

Blackademics Television, Juneteenth Jamboree, Overheard with Evan Smith, Decibel and more.

They aired more than 60,000 times on 672 channels in 187 markets and in 49 states. KLRU created

programs aired in more than 98 percent of the country.

To fulfill our mission we also work with local filmmakers to distribute their documentaries and other series.

In total these programs aired more than 32,000 times on 447 channels in 161 markets and in 48 states.

These programs aired in 89 percent of the country. Highlighted programs include The Daytripper,

Koo-Hoot Kiwat: The Caddo Grass House, Camp 72: The Quest for Justice and Healing and On Story.

KLRU filmmakers selected for Faces of AustinThree KLRU filmmakers had their work selected as part of the City of Austin Cultural Arts Divisions

Faces of Austin program. The shorts by Blair Waltmin-Alexin, Christopher Kim and Joe Rocha, were

screened at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival. Part of the Economic Development Department, the Faces

of Austin short film competition challenges filmmakers to submit shorts that reflect the diverse faces,

voices and experiences of our City. After a competitive selection process with over 70 submissions, 13

films were chosen. The selected shorts were screened on March 10 as part of the SXSW Film Festival’s

Community Programming, and will air throughout the year on the City’s television station, ATXN.

The KLRU staff’s films were:

Christopher Kim, Belonging

Blair Waltman-Alexin, A Common Thread

Joe Rocha, El Maestro: Hector Galan

Christopher Kim, Today, I Gave The World A Flower


City of Austin chooses KLRU as partner in Police Chief forumsWhen Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk named Brian Manley as the

finalist for the role of permanent chief of the Austin Police Department, he

also announced plans for a robust engagement process to give Interim Chief

Manley the opportunity to set out his vision for leading and transforming

public safety in Austin. For help achieving this goal, Cronk turned to KLRU.

During May 2018, Manley took part in a number of community events,

meetings and panel interviews, to give as many residents as possible the

opportunity to listen to what he has to say and to weigh in with their views.

KLRU livestreamed the first event from the Turner-Roberts Recreation

Center to give people who could not be in attendance a chance to hear the

chief’s vision and ask questions. The second event took place in KLRU’s

Studio 6A, where the station invited the community into the studio to ask

questions. Our news team also recorded questions in advance to ensure we

had a variety of input from the community. The event was livestreamed and

an hour-long version of the conversation aired on KLRU.

Independent film from Austin included in annual PBS Online Film FestivalThe Webby Award-nominated PBS Online Film Festival returned for a

seventh year in July 2018 and featured 25 short-form independent films

from multiple public media partners and PBS member stations. Austin

filmmakers Animal Facts Club were among those featured in this year’s

Festival for their film Animal Facts Club Presents: Endangered Rituals. The

PBS Online Film Festival is part of a multi-platform initiative to increase

the reach and visibility of independent films, and to provide a showcase for

diverse storytelling that inspires and engages.

Decibel celebrates 2nd anniversary and an Emmy winKLRU’s Decibel News & Public Affairs initiative celebrated its two year

anniversary with a Lone Star Emmy for their program on Central Texans

impacted by the Vietnam War.

In 2018, the Decibel team produced in-depth stories on issues of community

importance, including Women Candidates for elected office, the Opioid

Crisis, Civic Engagement, Workforce Development, Artist Affordability,

Immigration, Detained Families, Elections and Mental Health. The team also

conducted a listening tour where they asked the community what stories

matter to them and what issues Decibel should be addressing in 2019.


“KLRU for me represents some of the best things about Austin.” — Alejandra Rodriguez Boughton

What started as a search for ingredients to

make her grandmother’s molé ended with

Alejandra Rodriguez Boughton leaving her

banking position to start La Flaca, an urban

farm in Austin where she now cultivates

traditional herbs and vegetables from Mexico

and beyond. KLRU’s Central Texas Gardener

became an important tune-in for Alejandra

on her journey from financier to farmer.

“I’m not from Texas, so Central Texas

Gardener has been an amazing resource…

when is the time to plant something or what

is this bug that I don’t recognize or this native plant that I don’t know about.”

The deep well of information that Central Texas Gardener has collected over its

three decades on KLRU is vital for many plant enthusiasts in the area. From its

highly active blog and social media presence to the on-air broadcast, the CTG

team works hard to find and share all the best tips and tricks to make a garden

grow in our Texas climate.

“KLRU for me represents some of the best things about Austin: community, being kind to each other, having a social conscience and being respectful towards our environment.”

Central Texas Gardener gives protips at annual Garden Blogger FlingKLRU and Central Texas Gardener sponsored the 10th annual Garden Bloggers

Fling that united 93 authors, bloggers, podcasters, publishers, horticulturists and

designers from across the country, as well as Canada and the U.K. All heads turned in

excitement when CTG producer Linda Lehmusvirta spotted a roadrunner! At the

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, a Michigan gardener and New Mexico

landscape architect dodged the rain to grab shots of native plants. Tables were

turned on Linda when garden designer and Hothouse podcaster Leah Churner

pointed the mic at her to chat about garden myths and misconceptions and how

Linda and CTG grew together.

In addition to the garden blogger event, each week in 2018 Central Texas

Gardener shared stories of people using gardening to express their creativity,

including Alejandra Rodriguez Boughton from La Flaca Urban Garden, succulent

gardener James Barela who became a ceramicist to design his own pots and

Georgetown’s Lori and Jack Shreves who went for cottage garden style with native

and adapted plants.

KLRU’s Signature Series


Austin City Limits concluded its 44th season with jazz/R&B/hip-hop supergroup August Greene and

American music icon Willie Nelson, the artist who started it all by filming the pilot back in 1974. The

tapings topped the most diverse season in ACL history. From progressive soul singer Janelle Monae,

modern rock iconoclast St. Vincent, singer/songwriter legend John Prine, R&B maverick Miguel and

roots rocker Brandi Carlile to Latin hip-hop superstar Residente, blues legend Buddy Guy, New Orleans

funk titan Trombone Shorty and British indie rock stars Arctic Monkeys, the show cast a wider, more

expansive net than ever before.

“The key to ACL’s marathon success story is our commitment to the best, most original music being

created,” says longtime ACL executive producer Terry Lickona. “No matter what gender, genre, style or

era, we have always delivered a remarkable mix of compelling, heartfelt and groundbreaking performers.

Season 44 delivers on that promise once again.”

The show also continues to innovate. This year, KLRU partnered with American Airlines to livestream the

Willie Nelson taping not only across the internet, but to American’s domestic flights in the air!

In September Emmis Austin Radio rebranded KGSR as Austin City Limits Radio, the result of a multi-

year licensing agreement with Austin City Limits Enterprises, LLC. The new station offers a bold genre-

jumping playlist based on the Austin City Limits brand’s legendary aesthetic.

Tom Gimbel, General Manager of Austin City Limits, says “The Austin City Limits brand has been built

on integrity and a commitment to showcasing the very best in music — whether to our weekly public

television audience, at the Austin City Limits Music Festival or at a concert at ACL Live at The Moody

Theater. It’s exciting to see ACL take this very natural next step by extending into radio. To partner

with another of Austin’s great music beacons in KGSR, one with a 28 year history in the market, is an

incredible opportunity to enrich our local airwaves and serve the Austin community.”

In October, Austin City Limits inducted the Fifth Anniversary Class of the ACL Hall of Fame. The

anniversary class recognized three American originals: blues stalwart Marcia Ball, the legendary Ray

Charles and pioneering rockers Los Lobos. The 2018 ACL Hall of Fame inductees were saluted at a star-

studded ceremony that aired New Year’s Eve on PBS Stations across the nation. Music great Chris Isaak

again hosted the celebratory evening, which featured an all-star line-up including special guests Robert

Rodriguez and John Burk with performances by Marcia Ball, Los Lobos, Norah Jones, Boz Scaggs, Gary

Clark Jr., Ruthie Foster, Robert Randolph, Adrian Quesada, Irma Thomas, Tracy Nelson, Lou Ann Barton,

Shelley King and Carolyn Wonderland.


CONSIDERING MATTHEW SHEPARD

In October of 1998, Matthew Shepard was beaten, tortured and left to die. Twenty

years later his legacy is remembered in a unique production that uses music,

poetry and interviews to explore a pivotal time in our history.

In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of this horrific event, KLRU presented

to PBS stations across the nation the documentary Considering Matthew

Shepard. The documentary, produced by KLRU in partnership with Conspirare

and the Matthew Shepard Foundation, isn’t strictly a biographical work but rather

a reflection of our society and our collective experience told through the lens

of one individual story and the creation of a work of art to honor that story and

inspire us to collective action. Ultimately, the film is an uplifting work, exploring

the beauty of love and acceptance wrapped in Matthew’s legacy.

The film aired 739 times in 123 markets across 40 states, reaching 72 percent of

the nation. KLRU also facilitated six community screenings and discussions held

in Bowling Green, Austin, San Francisco, Memphis, New York City and Nashville.

Guests at these events reported the film was a “reaffirmation of the power of art”

and a “reminder that we’ve come very far and still have a long way to go.” We

have also received an additional 15 requests for the discussion guides to use in

community settings and schools.

This project continues beyond the broadcast. KLRU will be putting content and

lesson plans in PBS Learning Media so schools across the nation can use this

material for free in the classroom. The film will also be redistributed to PBS

stations for use during LGBT+ History Month in June 2019.

KOO-HOOT KIWAT: THE CADDO GRASS HOUSE

KLRU helped Hecho a Mano Productions and filmmaker Curtis Craven get the

documentary KOO-HOOT KIWAT: The Caddo Grass House distributed to more

than 31 percent of the PBS stations nationwide for Native American Heritage Month.

Craven, an award winning independent video producer/shooter/editor with over 30

years experience, received funding from the Texas Historical Commission, Texas

Historical Foundation and The Summerlee Foundation.

KOO-HOOT KIWAT is a half-hour program that chronicles the building of a

traditional Caddo grass house on the grounds of Caddo Mounds State Historic

Site in East Texas. A Caddo tribal elder and his apprentice return to their ancestral

homeland to direct a group of enthusiastic local volunteers in the design and

construction of the grass house. Phil Cross, the Caddo elder and project architect,

is perhaps the last of his tribe with the knowledge of this nearly-forgotten practice.

By building the house on the land of his ancestors, he is passing his knowledge on

for the next generations and beyond. The program documents the process that

combines both traditional and modern techniques, using raw materials collected

from the nearby Davy Crockett National Forest.

KLRU’s Diverse VoicesIn addition to presenting our signature series, KLRU also makes an effort to ensure diverse voices have a place in media.

In addition to Juneteenth Jamboree and Blackademics Television, which we producer annually, in 2018 KLRU created

or facilitated distribution of several important new projects, among them:


“Representation is very important.” — Roshi K

The roots of East Austin are strongly tied

to the people of color who historically

populated the neighborhood. Local artist

Roshi K’s murals in this part of town not only

provide joyful pops of color, but also serve as

a reminder to locals that there’s still brown

in the area.

“To me, it’s kind of throwing my voice into the

pop culture pot, showcasing characters that

are not the stereotypes or the tropes. I think

it is exponentially valuable to have channels

like KLRU to introduce a diverse group of

artists and musicians and performing artists to the next generation of children.

I think a show like Arts In Context is important just for that.”

Roshi has lived across the United States, on both coasts and Hawaii, and her

broad influences come across in her fanciful, contemporary pieces. From a

young age, doodles and sketches filled her school notebooks, and when she

realized people were excited about her art, Roshi knew she had a talent worth

embracing. And now she shares her gift every day with strangers who pass by her

painted walls.

“I think that art can connect us to our neighbors. I think it gives you something to maybe even talk about. At the very least, it gives someone a reason to smile.”

2018 KLRU Community PartnersAARP

ACL Live

Alamo Drafthouse

Austin Community College

Austin Community Foundation

Austin ISD

Ann Richards School

Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life

Any Baby Can

Asian American Resource Ctr

Austin American-Statesman

Austin Asian Chamber Of Commerce

Austin Asian American Film Festival

Austin City Limits Radio

Austin City Limits Music Festival

Austin Family

Austin Film Festival

Austin Film Society

Austin Monitor

Austin Public Library

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Austin Area

Capital IDEA

Child, Inc

Communities in Schools of Central Texas

Conspirare

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

Creative Action

CultureMap

Del Valle ISD

El Buen Samaritano

El Mundo

Fashion X

Foundation Communities

George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center

Girlstart

Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce

CAMP 72: THE QUEST FOR JUSTICE AND HEALING

During Liberia’s Civil War, Gladys was forced to watch the brutal murder of her

mother. The same fighter who killd her mother held her captive as a sex slave

for years. The nightmare started at an area Gladys refers to as Camp 72. More

than a decade later, Gladys, like many survivors of the 14-year civil war, is trying

to rebuild her life and come to terms with the fact that no one in Liberia has

been prosecuted for their war crimes. The rebel who raped Gladys and killed

her mother lives in freedom miles away from her. This documentary takes an

unprecedented look at the country’s controversial Truth and Reconciliation

process post conflict. Camp 72 follows a quest for justice and healing through the

eyes of survivors, warlords, grassroots activists and four Nobel Laureates who are

dedicated to ending violence against women. Witness how people find hope and

inspiration in the worst of circumstances.


“KLRU is a great neighbor because they’re always there when you need them!” — Erica EganKLRU has the privilege to work with three

wonderful early childhood partners: Thinkery,

Communities In Schools of Central Texas

and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area

(BGCAA). Together we conduct camps and

workshops for at-risk families designed to

make learning more accessible and exciting.

When KLRU approached BGCAA over

five years ago about how we could offer

assistance, the answer was easy: more

technology. KLRU followed-up by providing

tablets loaded with researched-based PBS KIDS content. The tablets give young

“Club members” access to online content that is engaging and curriculum-based —

kids have fun while secretly learning!

Erica Egan, Director of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Education

at BGCAA, recently shared just how important KLRU resources are to her

program.

“KLRU’s online digital resources allow us to access a catalogue of everything from

social and emotional learning to technology resources.”

Using “PBS KIDS Scratch Jr.,” an interactive app that teaches coding skills, these

tablets are now the backbone of a workshop that introduces young learners to

the basics of coding through play.

By the end of the four week course, children are animating PBS characters, all

through hands-on coding practices. Coding is the new literacy, and exposing

young minds to these engineering skills at an early age gives them a leg up in the

21st Century workforce.

“I think these workshops have built a wonderful sense of community within our

clubs. Being an out-of-schooltime provider we don’t always get access to parents,

and if we’re able to bring them together to not only meet one another, but to

participate in an educational activity with their children, that’s super meaningful.”

Erica has seen up close what a difference these workshops make in the day-to-day

lives of both adult and child participants. One mom, after a long work day, even

approached Erica following a session to say that it had turned her day completely

around. The positive connections made between kids, parents and computer

science empowers these families to tackle new opportunities with confidence.

“One of our core values here at Boys and Girls Clubs of the Austin Area is fun. And

with the playful learning opportunities that are provided by KLRU, we’ve been

able to address that and go above and beyond!”

Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce

Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

GSD&M

Hays CISD

Hill Country Science Mill

Housing Authority of the City of Austin

Huston Tillitson University

I Live Here, I Give Here

Indie Meme Film Festival

Institute for Community, University and School Partnerships

KUT

Leadership Austin

Leander ISD

Localeur

Manor ISD

Matthew Shepard Foundation

Mexican American Cultural Center

City of Austin

PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs

The RGK Center for Philanthropy at the LBJ School

Round Rock ISD

San Marcos ISD

Safeplace

Silicon Labs

Skillpoint Alliance

Summer STEM Funders Collaborative

St. Edwards University

Texas Book Festival

Texas Monthly

Texas Tribune

Thinkery

TODO Austin

Travis County

United Way of Greater Austin

University of Texas at Austin: Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources

Workforce Solutions Capital Area


Bloody Mary Morning

JANUARY 2018

KLRU NEXT: Annual General Meeting

Screening: I Am Not Your Negro

Taping: Overheard with Yamiche Alcindor

East Austin Coalition for Quality Education

FEBRUARY 2018

Dawson Elementary School Visit

Taping: Overheard with Nikki Giovanni

Screening: Tell Them We are Rising

Taping: Blackademics Television

RRISD teacher talk about Vietnam

Taping: Overheard with Seth Moulton

Taping: Overheard with Joan Walsh

Screening: Austin Revealed at TexVet symposium

TEXVET Mental Health Symposium talk

Taping: Austin City Limits with Mac DeMarco

Taping: Overheard with Amy Bloom

Leadership Austin Engage Breakfast

MARCH 2018

Amplify Austin Fair at Silicon Labs

Taping: Overheard with Walter Mosley

Ed Camp Reception

NEXT Season Kick-off Happy Hour

Major Donor Dinner

Taping: Overheard with Jake Tapper

Taping: Overheard with Bill de Blassio

Taping: Overheard with Sally Kohn

Taping: Overheard with Michael Schmidt

Taping: Overheard with Ana Marie Cox

Bloody Mary Morning

NEXT NIGHT: Mr Rogers’ Neighborhood

Screening: Dolores at St. Edwards

Screening: Dolores at Mexican American Cultural Center

Fashion X Austin kickoff

KLRU 2018 Events

Yamiche Alcindor on Overheard with Evan Smith

Blackademics Television Taping

KLRU NEXT Night: Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood


ACC/KLRU Press Conference

APRIL 2018

Taping: Overheard with Sean Penn

Taping: Overheard with Junot Diaz

Taping: Overheard with Cecile Richards

Taping: Austin City Limits with Brandi Carlile

On Story party/taping

Client production: Sustainability Showdown

Taping: Overheard with Lee Ann Womack

Screening: Look and See

Lidia Bastianich Producers’ Circle Event

MAY 2018

Taping: Austin City Limits with St. Vincent

Taping: Decibel City of Austin Police Chief Forum

KLRU KIDS Writers Contest Celebration

Taping: Overheard with Amy Chozick

NEXT NIGHT: Carmen Sandiego

Screening: Served Like A Girl

JUNE 2018

Taping: Austin City Limits with John Prine

Taping: Austin City Limits with Kacey Musgraves

ACC/KLRU Press Conference Announcing Relocation

Taping: Austin City Limits with Wild Child

Taping: Austin City Limits with Anderson East

JULY 2018

Taping: Austin City Limits with Lukas Nelson &

Promise of the Real

Taping: Austin City Limits with Miguel

Taping: Austin City Limits with Sam Smith

Westminster Retirement Community Talk

AUGUST 2018

Taping: Austin City Limits with Alessia Cara

Localeur Event

Longhorn Village Community Talk

NEXT NIGHT: Julia Child

Lidia Bastianich Producers Circle Event

St. Vincent tapes Austin City Limits

Creative Action Community Art SundayKLRU KIDS Writers Contest Celebration


2018 Austin Mayoral Debate

SEPTEMBER 2018

Taping: Overheard with Sean Spicer

CASA Superhero Run

Taping: Austin City Limits with Buddy Guy

Taping: Austin City Limits with Trombone Shorty

Taping: Overheard with Michael Avenatti

Taping: Overheard with John Kerry

Taping: Overheard with Lawrence O’Donnell

OCTOBER 2018

Screening: Considering Matthew Shepard

Taping: Austin City Limits with Khalid

Austin Kiddie Limits at ACL Music Festival Weekend #1

Taping: Austin City Limits with Residente

Taping: Austin City Limits with Janelle Monáe

Taping: Mayoral Debate

Austin Kiddie Limits at ACL Music Festival Weekend #2

Taping: Austin City Limits with Arctic Monkeys

Taping: Overheard with Anne Lamott

Taping: Overheard with Mary Chapin Carpenter

Taping: Austin City Limits Hall of Fame

NOVEMBER 2018

Taping: Overheard with Brooklyn Decker

NEXT NIGHT: Dia de los Muertos

Taping: Overheard with Jason Reitman

PBS EdCamp - PreK Educators

Taping: Overheard with Dr. Brené Brown

Taping: Austin City Limits with Willie Nelson

Taping: Austin City Limits with August Greene

Current and Former Board Dinner

DECEMBER 2018

2018 KLRU & Austin City Limits Holiday Gift Fair

John Kerry on Overheard with Evan Smith

PBS EdCamp - PreK Educators

Willie Nelson tapes Austin City Limits


“KLRU inspires me to love my neighbor.” — Edie Avery

What connects us — to each

other, to our neighbors, to

the world? For Edie Avery

and her granddaughter Bird

Holmquist, a special bond was

forged years ago when they

started watching Masterpiece

together. Now Bird is all grown

up, but their shared love of

PBS endures.

“My grandmother used to live

with my family, and she had

the only room that had its

own TV. On the DVR it was Masterpiece Theatre after Masterpiece

Theatre — it was all Masterpiece. So we would watch endlessly.”

They soaked up all the enthralling dramas and mysteries, and even

as Bird got older, the two women still reunited as often as possible to

snuggle up and indulge in their favorite show. All those hours with her

“nana” made a lasting impact for Bird, inspiring her to pursue British

literature studies. And Edie was inspired too — to travel!

“PBS has really opened my eyes to the greater possibilities in the world.

If it hadn’t been for PBS kind of goading me along and opening my

eyes, I don’t know that I would have done the traveling.”

Edie and Bird spent so much time with the beautiful English backdrops

and settings, which factor so heavily into many Masterpiece

presentations, that wanting to learn more about all things British was

a natural inclination for them both.

The memories that Edie and Bird made over the course of their

Masterpiece viewings and their epic trip will last forever. PBS

connected grandmother and granddaughter, and those threads keep

growing — to each other and to the world around them.

Bird’s positive lesson, journeying from young PBS viewer to today:

“KLRU inspires me to love my neighbor.” Edie’s refrain, as the always

supportive nana:

“You’re right! You gotta love your neighbor.”

More than 35,000 hours of

programming presented annually

on four broadcast channels.

One of the largest providers of

online video content with more than

8,000 hours on klru.org.

Active and engaged following on

social media with more than 27,000

Facebook likes, more than 7,600

followers on Twitter and almost

5,300 Instagram followers.

More than 42,000 people

attended KLRU events, tapings or

screenings in 2018.

KLRU’s Educational Services team

held 125 workshops and served

more than 3,700 adults and 6,600

youth...

...and distributed 1,840 books

and 104 tablets to Central Texas

families.

KLRU’s Decibel produced six

broadcast specials, 74 livestreams

and 46 produced packages in 2018.

KLRU’s Arts In Context produced

one 60 min special and 47 artist

profiles in 2018.


We’re Moving. Forward.The media industry is in the midst of fundamental change, challenging KLRU to evolve — to better fulfill

our mission of community engagement and impact, to deliver essential media that matters and to

expand our reach and relevance.

In 2020, we’re addressing that challenge more boldly than ever before.

KLRU is not only relocating — we’re reimagining. A new building. A new approach. An ambitious

new partnership.

Our future home — to be built with your help and community support — is the 45,000 square foot

Austin Media Center at Austin Community College Highland Campus.

Beyond retooling for the changing landscape of what “broadcasting” and “media” means, KLRU will be

more visible, more accessible, more flexible. KLRU is an essential resource for Central Texas, evolving

along with our changing community and media industry. With this move, KLRU begins a new and deep

collaboration with ACC, offering previously unimagined opportunities for both organizations:

• Giving the next generation of digital storytellers a robust, innovative platform, focused intensely on

community and positive solutions

• Kickstarting creativity, pairing learners with instructors and professionals

• Creating a new home for community events and gatherings, helping ACC and KLRU dramatically

enhance their role and leadership in the public space

• Working together to tell Austin’s story to the world, and vastly expanding the information delivered

to Central Texans

The partnership between KLRU and ACC will benefit both organizations and the community at large.

“ACC Highland is about renewal and building up our community. It takes innovative thinking and

collaborative partnerships to bring that vision to life,” said Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC President/CEO.

“What’s happening here with KLRU will expand learning and training opportunities and provide real-world

experiences that benefit our students and the region. Together, we share in a vision to enrich lives.”

“ACC and KLRU share a deep, long-standing commitment to the Central Texas community,” said Bill

Stotesbery, KLRU General Manager. “This collaboration will benefit both organizations as we work

together to launch new initiatives that leverage the power of media to positively impact Central Texas

communities while creating new training opportunities for ACC students.”


Community Sound Stage Media Center Gallery

The Austin Media Center


Alka Bhanot CHAIR Indie Meme

Trey Hamlett CHAIR ELECT Agriculture

Charles Foster SECRETARY COA Park Adopter and City Planner

Alice Adams Journalist-Advocate

Melissa Ayala Waller Creek Conservancy

Juanita Budd Austin Free-Net

Kathleen Vale Castillo Texas Department of Community Affairs

Mitchell Fuller J.L. Powers and Associates

Gil Garcia Aceable

Montserrat Garibay Texas AFL-CIO

Denise Hernandez Travis County District Attorney’s Office

Martin Kareithi Capital Metro

Jeff Knight Under Armour

Stephanie Locke SAFE Alliance

Christine Hoang Color Arc Productions

Jenny Hawkins Seton Healthcare

Shadia Igram Muslim Space

Tandera Louie Educator

Sumaiya Malik Writer, Austin South Asian Newspaper, Co-founder AADi

Robert Malina Frost Bank

Joe Morin Principal, Morin Associates

Pramod Patil Philanthropist, Commissioner (AAQLC), IACT

PJ Raval Filmmaker, UT Austin, OUTsider

Erika Reyes Facebook

Gissela SantaCruz Austin American-Statesman

Andrea Genevieve Townson Upbeat Marketing

Yasmin Turk HOPE for Senegal

Sandra Vera-Summers City of Austin

Cletus W. Wilkins Jr, Ph.D. Motorola (Retired)

Richard K. Yuen, Ph.D. Lonestar Psychological Services

Chris Mattsson BOARD CHAIR Mattsson McHale Foundation

Sergio Alcocer Rest of the World

James Aldrete Message Audience & Presentation

Tom Ball Next Coast Ventures

Laura H. Beckworth VICE BOARD CHAIR Hobby Communications, LLP

Alka Bhanot Chair, KLRU Community Advisory Board (ex officio)

Mike Blue BOARD TREASURER Ernst & Young LLP

Myra Bull BOARD SECRETARY HCB Health

Ross Buhrdorf Capital Factory

Christy Carpenter Nonprofit Leader & Advisor

Rudy Colmenero Mitchell & Colmenero, LLP

Virginia Cumberbatch Division of Diversity & Community Engagement, University of Texas at Austin

Denise Davis Davis Kaufman PLLC

Debra Day Floyd Civic Volunteer

Sherrie Frachtman Civic Volunteer

Vanessa A. Gonzalez Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta

Joe Hanson Science Writer/YouTube Educator

Jordan Herman Baker Botts LLP

Karen Kennard Former City Attorney

Myra Leo K&L Gates LLP

Jan Lindelow Investor & Philanthropist

Stacey A. Martinez Norton Rose Fulbright LLC

Niraj Mehdiratta Entrepreneur

Amy Wong Mok Asian American Cultural Center

Milam Newby Vinson & Elkins

Minh Hien Nguyen NTT DATA Services

Nona Niland Niland Foundation

Ryan Nixon Nixon Capital LLC

Claire Pinkerton Civic Volunteer

Nancy Pollard Friends of the Children

Mellie Price Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin

Janine Reintjes Civic Volunteer

Catherine Robb Attorney

Shuronda Robinson Adisa Communications

Deanna Rodriguez Entergy

Geronimo Rodriguez Seton Healthcare Family

Sergio Rodriguez GALO OPS, LLC

Manuel Rosso Food on the Table

Yvette Ruiz JP Morgan Chase

Patti C. Smith International Media Consultant

Joah Spearman Localeur

Bill Stotesbery KLRU-TV, Austin PBS (ex officio)

Carl Stuart Carl Stuart Investment Advisor, Inc

Tyson Tuttle Silicon Labs (Past Board Chair)

Madge Vasquez St. David’s Foundation

Carol Wagner Civic Volunteer

Matt Winkler Asuragen, Inc.

Howard Yancy Zydeco Development

Jeriad Zoghby, PhD Accenture Interactive

Community Advisory Board

Board of Directors

Bill Stotesbery, CEO and GM | 512.471.8564 | [email protected]

2018 local content and service report to the community · klru is also an innovator in new digital...

Documents